Gezicht op Cusset 1865 - 1866

Maxime Lalanne made this print of Cusset using etching, capturing a street scene with its buildings and market stalls. In nineteenth-century France, printmaking had become central to how people understood the world, particularly through the illustrated press. It was also an established academic discipline. Lalanne was known for his contributions to Félix Bracquemond’s manual, *Traité de la gravure à l'eau-forte*, which detailed the dominant etching techniques and offered advice to aspiring etchers. In this context, Lalanne's print of Cusset is as much a demonstration of his mastery of technique as it is a depiction of a place. Prints like this one reflect the growing importance of visual culture and the rise of the artist as a public figure. To fully understand this work, scholars might consult exhibition catalogues, manuals, and other printed materials. This allows us to consider the place of art within the larger context of its time.