"The Exiled" from The Complete Works of Béranger 1836

This print, "The Exiled," was made by J.J. Grandville as part of an editioned book, using the technique of engraving, which allowed images to be reproduced at scale for mass consumption. The precision of engraving is apparent in the fine lines that create textures of clothing and facial expressions, as well as the building shown in the background. The exiled man, likely a soldier, is presented through meticulous labor. In this way, the print hints at the political upheavals of 19th-century France and the impact on individual lives, distributed widely through the mechanized process of printing. Notably, the act of engraving itself involves careful skill and labor. Like the soldier depicted, the print is embedded with the labor of many hands, both skilled and unskilled. By considering the production of "The Exiled," we gain a better understanding of its social context and its intended audience.