Man kust de hand van een vrouw in een stal met paarden c. 1749 - 1799

This print, "Man Kisses Woman's Hand in Stable with Horses", was made by Jacques Le Roy using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production in the 18th century. The etcher covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, and then scratches an image into it with a needle. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. This is how the drawing becomes a printing plate. The controlled degradation of the metal, translated to paper, creates this study of gestures in a rustic setting. While seemingly worlds apart, there's a clear parallel between the skilled labor of the artisan and the man's delicate gesture, both revealing social dynamics of their time. The print is not just an artwork; it's a record of a transaction, mediated by labor and class. It reminds us of the importance of considering materials, making, and context to fully understand an artwork's significance, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.