Comme ils en étaient là, arrive l'oncle 1773 - 1783

This print, "Comme ils en étaient là, arrive l'oncle," was made by Jean Michel Moreau the Younger. It is made using etching and engraving, meaning that the image was first incised into a metal plate, and then printed onto paper. Consider how this reproductive technique democratized images in the 18th century. Prints like this were part of a burgeoning commercial market, churning out scenes for a growing middle class. Note how Moreau deployed line and tone to create a sense of drama. The crispness of the engraved lines gives the scene its clarity, while the etched areas create soft shadows and textures. The labor-intensive process of etching and engraving was crucial to capturing details of the scene. This includes the plush fabrics, ornate furniture, and the characters' expressive gestures. Through the printmaking process, Moreau transformed a moment of human drama into a commodity, one that reflects the values and tastes of its time. It’s a powerful reminder that even seemingly simple prints are embedded in complex systems of labor, production, and consumption.