Les Demoiselles de village 1867

This print, "Les Demoiselles de Village", was made by Félix Bracquemond using etching, a printmaking process that relies on the corrosive action of acid. First, the artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then, using a sharp needle, he would draw through the ground, exposing the metal beneath. Finally, the plate is immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating an image that can be inked and printed. Look closely and you'll notice the fineness of line. Bracquemond was a leading figure in the revival of etching as an original art form, emphasizing its potential for capturing subtle tonal variations and textures, so different to mainstream commercial printmaking. Consider how the artist's skill transforms a base metal into a vehicle for social commentary. By elevating printmaking, Bracquemond challenged the hierarchy of art, asserting that even the most 'humble' material, when worked with ingenuity, can be a medium for profound artistic expression.