Banks of a River (Bords de Riviere) c. 1866

Paul Huet made this print, Banks of a River, using etching, a method where a metal plate is coated, drawn into with a needle, and then bathed in acid. This is not exactly an industrial process, but it does allow for multiples, an early form of mass production. The image is made up of a multitude of tiny etched lines, carefully deployed to create areas of light and dark, dense texture and open space. This is a world away from the broad gestural strokes of painting, but Huet seems to be aiming for a similar effect: a landscape impression that captures the feeling of being out in nature. The work is full of carefully observed detail, from the reflection in the water to the profusion of leaves in the trees. Through the labor-intensive process of etching, Huet elevates the status of the natural world, inviting us to see its beauty and complexity. He asks us to consider the social context in which this beauty exists, perhaps even to question our relationship with the environment.