Letters BX 1768 - 1786

Etienne Claude Voysard created this print, Letters BX, using etching, a printmaking technique known for its fine detail. The process begins with a metal plate coated in wax. The artist then scratches through the wax, exposing the metal, which is then submerged in acid. This etches the design into the plate. Here, the delicate lines of the etched design give the impression of botanically-precise floral arrangements. A crown tops off a B and X constructed from flowers and leaves. This was made at a time when the printing press was revolutionizing communication, and the labor involved in producing images was shifting from hand-craft to mechanical reproduction. By understanding etching and the context of its making, we can appreciate how this print bridges the gap between artistic skill and industrial advancement. It reminds us that even in mass production, the hand of the artist leaves its mark.