Queen Blanche and her Son c. 19th century

This is William B. Closson's "Queen Blanche and her Son," an engraving on paper. Engraving is an exacting process. The artist uses a tool called a burin to manually carve lines into a metal plate. These lines, filled with ink, are then pressed onto paper to create the image. The result is a print with a crisp, clean quality that captures the textures and details of the original scene with remarkable fidelity. Consider the labor invested. Each line is a deliberate act, a testament to the engraver's skill and patience. This meticulous process stands in stark contrast to the industrialized modes of production that were emerging during Closson's time. While factories churned out goods at an unprecedented rate, artisans like Closson continued to uphold the value of handcrafted work. It reminds us that even as mass production reshapes society, the human touch remains a powerful force, capable of imbuing objects with meaning and value that transcend mere utility. We need to recognize the role of craft as a commentary on labor and consumption.