Boswell's Tour of the Hebrides: Frontispiece 1786

This print, made by Thomas Rowlandson, shows an etching, a process of using acid to cut into a metal plate, which then receives ink and is transferred to paper. Here, it depicts James Boswell's tour of the Hebrides. The medium is critical to the message. Etching was a relatively inexpensive process that allowed for mass production of images, catering to a growing market for satirical prints in the late 18th century. The sharp, precise lines of the etching emphasize the caricatured features of the figures. Note how the artist captures the texture of the clothing and the roughness of the landscape with simple hatching and cross-hatching. The contrast between light and shadow adds depth to the scene, highlighting the ridiculousness of Boswell being pulled in a cart by locals. Rowlandson’s choice of etching speaks to the democratization of art and the rise of a consumer culture, and how these allowed artists to reach a broad audience with their social commentary, blurring the lines between fine art and popular culture.