Tenth Bucolic: Lycoris with the Army of Rhin 1955

Jacques Villon made this color etching, Tenth Bucolic: Lycoris with the Army of Rhin, using traditional printmaking techniques. The choice of etching and the way Villon has applied color influences the works appearance, creating a soft, textured surface. Etching involves drawing an image into a waxy ground on a metal plate, which is then submerged in acid, biting away at the exposed lines. It’s a laborious process, demanding skill and precision. Villon has used multiple plates, one for each color, layering them to create a rich visual effect. The softness of the lines and the blending of tones give the image a dreamlike quality, contrasting sharply with the harsh realities of the scene depicted. The artist skillfully merges the traditional techniques of printmaking with the modern themes of labor and warfare. By emphasizing the value of craft in his own practice, Villon invites us to reconsider the art world, and our perceptions of fine art and craft.