Slavenveiling 1739 - 1797

This engraving was made by Pierre François Basan in the 18th century, using a technique rooted in the principles of mass production. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking process, where the image is incised into a metal plate, typically copper. A tool called a burin is used to cut lines into the plate, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper with a printing press. The crisp precision of the engraved lines allows for fine detail and tonal variation, evident in the depiction of the figures. But it was also a business model, designed for wide distribution. Its inherent qualities of reproducibility made engravings perfect for disseminating images and ideas to a broad audience, and its association with commerce and industry. So it's important to consider it as part of a matrix of labor, politics, and consumption, and not just as a work of fine art.