Tomb of Louis XVI and his family, with hidden silhouettes 1793 - 1800

This print, "Tomb of Louis XVI and his family, with hidden silhouettes," was made anonymously using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back to the 1500s. A metal plate, likely copper, was coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratched an image into this coating, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would then bite into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The deeper the bite, the darker the lines would appear in the final print. Ink was applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface was wiped clean. Finally, paper was pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the image you see here. The print's somber imagery and use of silhouettes – subtle images hidden within the larger composition – evoke the turmoil surrounding the French Revolution and its aftermath. Considering the laborious nature of etching, with each line carefully inscribed and etched, this print speaks to the effort involved in shaping public memory and the power of images to convey complex political sentiments during times of upheaval. Ultimately, the artist reminds us that beneath the surface, there is a story hidden within the materiality of the print itself.