Narcissus en Echo 1801

Pierre Audouin made this print, Narcissus and Echo, using engraving, a technique with a fascinating history. To make an engraving, the artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, usually copper. The depth and thickness of these lines determine how much ink they hold. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, the image is transferred to paper under high pressure in a printing press. Engraving demands precision and control, showing the artist's mastery over the material. The process allows for fine detail, as seen in the delicate rendering of the figures of Narcissus and Echo. The medium lends itself to reproduction, making art more accessible. In its time, the printing press was itself a revolutionary technology, enabling the spread of knowledge and ideas, with significant social impact. Appreciating the labor and skill involved in engraving gives us a new perspective.