Harvesters Resting 1795

Jean Jacques de Boissieu made this print, "Harvesters Resting," using etching, a printmaking technique which relies on acid to eat into a metal plate, creating lines that hold ink. Boissieu would have covered the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then scratched his composition into it. Notice how the etched lines define the scene, from the harvesters themselves to the hay bales and horses. The density and direction of these lines create tone and texture, giving the impression of a hot, hazy day. Printmaking was a key medium for disseminating images in the 18th century, when this work was made. It allowed artists to reach a wide audience, and, in a way, industrialized the artmaking process. Though requiring skillful handwork, etching allowed for the mass production of images, connecting art to the rising tide of consumer culture. By focusing on the daily labor of rural workers, Boissieu's print offers a glimpse into the lives sustained by this system. This emphasizes the importance of considering the materials, making, and context, when trying to understand the full meaning of an artwork.