Illustration to the Great Deputation, Which Tried to Convince the Czar to Withdraw the February Manifesto Which Strove to Russify Finland 

Albert Edelfelt created this illustration in April 1894 using etching, a printmaking technique with a long history. The artist would have covered a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched an image into it. This plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed metal, creating an image that could be inked and printed. The stark, linear quality of the etching lends itself well to the somber subject matter: the failed attempt to persuade the Czar to reverse his policy of Russifying Finland. The printmaking process also speaks to the wider context of political engagement. Unlike a unique painting or drawing, an etching can be reproduced multiple times, making it a potent tool for disseminating ideas and rallying support for a cause. In this way, Edelfelt’s choice of medium underscores the social and political dimensions of his art.