Gezicht op waterpartij en zeventien fonteinen van Rochefoucauld 1631 - 1691

This print of a garden, made by Israel Silvestre around the mid-17th century, presents a masterclass in the technique of etching. Silvestre would have coated a copper plate with wax, then used a sharp needle to scratch away lines, exposing the metal. When dipped in acid, these lines would be eaten away, creating grooves to hold ink. The material itself, copper, isn’t particularly precious, but the labor involved is significant. Think of the hours of patient work needed to create this scene. The image’s appeal is in the formal garden and the people enjoying it, but it's also important to consider the labor required to build and maintain this artificial paradise. The fountains, the precisely planted trees, the carefully raked gravel – all speak to a massive effort, unseen in the image itself. Looking at this print, we can see the relationship between elite enjoyment and the work that enabled it, a relationship that is just as relevant today.