Adieux aux bains de mer 1863

This print, Adieux aux bains de mer, was created by Lorenz Frølich, likely sometime in the mid-to-late 19th century. It is made using a technique called wood engraving. With wood engraving, the artist carves an image into the end-grain of a block of wood. The process demands meticulous skill and control. Frølich would have used specialized tools to achieve the fine lines and subtle gradations of tone seen here. In contrast to other forms of printmaking, wood engraving allows for a high level of detail, giving the image a crisp, almost photographic quality. The social context of this print is also interesting to consider. At this time, increased industrialization resulted in an abundance of printed images. The relative ease of production afforded by wood engraving, allowed artists to reach a wide audience through books, newspapers, and magazines. What might seem like a simple illustration is actually the result of a highly developed craft, deeply enmeshed in the social and economic changes of its time.