Vignet c. 1636 - 1716

This little ornamental design was made by Pierre Lesueur using a technique called engraving. It’s an intaglio process, meaning that the image is incised into a surface – in this case, a copper plate. Lesueur would have used a tool called a burin to carefully carve the design. The lines you see were made by physically removing slivers of metal. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these tiny grooves. The surface is wiped clean, and then paper is pressed against the plate with great force, transferring the ink and creating the print. Look closely and you can almost feel the precision and control required to create such fine lines. This wasn't just about artistic vision; it was about technical skill and craftsmanship, and, of course, long hours of labor. Prints like this were often used to decorate books or as templates for other crafts. By understanding the material process, we can appreciate the labor involved and the broader context of its use, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft.