L'Écureuil 1830 - 1900

“L'Écureuil” was created as an engraving on paper by MM. Best, Leloir, Hotelin et Régnier. The image has a graphic quality, and the process involves using a tool to make a design on a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. It’s a labor intensive process requiring teamwork and collaboration, hallmarks of industrial production. This print has a remarkable tonal range, achieved through very fine, closely spaced lines. The figures of the children and the dog are set off against a dark ground that feels almost painterly. This is how the printmakers have translated Diaz’s painting into a popular, widely disseminated image. The design is beautifully rendered and shows great skill in the technique. Engravings like this played an important role in disseminating images and ideas widely. What was once a singular painting became an image reproduced across possibly thousands of prints. This brings art to a wider audience, but it also relies on a division of labor and a system of mass production. By understanding the processes and the social context, we can appreciate the role of printmaking in shaping art and culture.