Hill with Bushes (La butte aux brousailles) 

Alphonse Legros made this print, Hill with Bushes, using a process called etching. It involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drawing into the wax with a sharp needle, exposing the metal underneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The real skill lies in controlling the depth of the etching, and therefore the darkness of the lines when printed. Notice the subtle gradations that Legros has achieved; the acid has eaten away at the metal creating depth and shadow. The final print is the result of a collaboration between the artist and these materials: metal, wax, acid, and paper. Consider the amount of labor and skill invested in creating this image. It would have been accessible to a wider audience than an original painting, but still required expertise to produce. By focusing on process, we can understand the broader social and cultural context of the artwork, challenging our traditional ideas around art.