Vaas met masker 1729 - 1737

This print of a vase with a mask was made by Gabriel Huquier, sometime in the 18th century. Its making involved the technique of etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then printed. Look closely at the surface. With careful lines, Huquier has created the illusion of a three-dimensional object. Notice the intricate patterns suggesting a spiraling texture, and the mask-like ornament. All of this contributes to the vase's visual weight and tactile qualities, as if it were an object of luxury. But this is not, in fact, an original design. It's a reproduction of a design by another artist, Bouchardon. Huquier's labor, therefore, consisted in the skilled work of translation. The circulation of prints like these allowed for designs to be widely disseminated, fueling the consumer desires of the 18th century. In the print, we can observe the workings of commerce and taste.