You May Count on Me! 1789

Augustin de Saint-Aubin made this engraving, titled ‘You May Count on Me!,’ using a metal plate to transfer an image onto paper. Engraving is an exacting process that relies on the engraver's manual skill, patience, and keen eye. To create the image, the artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a copper plate. These incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under great pressure. Note the astonishing precision and detail, especially in the rendering of the face, hair, and lace cuff. The texture of the paper itself also plays a role, as the heavy press creates a slight relief. Engravings like this one were often made in multiples, allowing images to be widely disseminated. This reflects the rise of a print culture in the 18th century, which democratized access to art and information. While Saint-Aubin was a skilled artist in his own right, he was also part of a larger system of production and consumption. By appreciating the technical skill and labor involved in creating this print, we can move beyond traditional art historical categories and see it as a product of its time.