Flora 1888

Paul-Albert Besnard made this print of "Flora" using etching, a technique with a long history. The image begins with a metal plate, likely copper or zinc. The artist covers the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then draws their design, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the drawn lines are bitten into the metal, creating grooves that hold ink. The character of the marks on the image, created by the acid bath, and the amount of work involved in the production process, demonstrates Besnard’s labor. Wiping the plate leaves ink only in the etched lines, transferring the image to paper under high pressure. Besnard's choice of etching, a printmaking method that allows for detailed lines and tonal variations, speaks to his deep engagement with process. This underscores the role of craft in what might otherwise be considered simply an image. The material and the making, the work of Besnard, gives this “Flora” its meaning.