Academic Male (recto and verso), from Premier Livre de Figures d'Academies gravées en Partie par les Professeurs de l’ Académie Royale Possibly 1737

This engraving on paper, created by Francois Boucher, shows studies of a male nude. It's a prime example of academic drawing, a cornerstone of artistic training in the 18th century. The linear quality comes from the engraving process itself. Boucher would have used a sharp tool called a burin to cut lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed, transferring the image onto paper. Look closely, and you can see how the density and direction of the lines create shading and volume. The image on the right is much clearer, whilst on the left, we see the faintest of traces. This wasn’t just about making a picture. It was about mastering a set of skills and conventions, demonstrating knowledge of anatomy, and participating in a system of artistic production tied to patronage and power. The printmaking process allowed for wider distribution of these images, which played a key role in disseminating artistic ideals and reinforcing the hierarchy of the academy.