St. Etienne du Mont, Paris 1890

Charles John Watson made this etching of St. Etienne du Mont in Paris, sometime around the turn of the 20th century. The etching process involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, then using this plate to print an image. It’s a painstaking process that requires skill in both drawing and chemistry. Note how Watson uses the fine, etched lines to create a sense of depth and texture, especially in the facade of the church. The weight of the stone is made visible through the labor-intensive process of scoring the image, which is itself enabled by industrial advances in the availability of metal plates and acid. The print medium allowed Watson to reach a wider audience than a painting might, making images of important cultural sites accessible, tapping into a market for picturesque views. In this way, the work reflects the increasing commodification of art and culture in the late 19th century, catering to a growing middle class with an appetite for both travel and art.