Jason (Liber Studiorum, part I, plate 6) 1807

This print, "Jason," was made by J.M.W. Turner using etching and mezzotint, processes capable of rendering subtle gradations of tone. The image depicts a scene from classical mythology, Jason about to confront the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece. But look closely at the print itself. Etching involves using acid to bite lines into a metal plate. Mezzotint, on the other hand, requires roughening the entire plate, then selectively burnishing areas to create lighter tones. Turner likely hired professional printmakers to execute the time-consuming mezzotint work, relying on their skill to translate his vision into a reproducible image. This division of labor was common in the print industry, reflecting the growing commercialization of art in the 19th century. The very act of creating a print implies a desire for wider distribution, and therefore a connection to the marketplace. Understanding these material processes and their social context helps us appreciate how Turner's art was embedded in the economic realities of his time.