Portrait of Gessner 1775

Augustin de Saint-Aubin made this print, "Portrait of Gessner," using the intaglio technique, where an image is incised into a plate, in this case most likely copper. Ink is then applied to the plate, and the excess is wiped away, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The precision of the lines speaks to the artist’s mastery of engraving tools such as burins and etching needles. The image's visual qualities, particularly its fine, detailed lines, are deeply influenced by this process. Look closely, and you can almost feel the pressure of the engraver's hand as he meticulously carves into the metal. Intaglio printing was essential for disseminating images and knowledge widely, thus reflecting the social and economic context of its time. By emphasizing the labor and skill involved in its production, we can appreciate how prints contributed to cultural exchange, and also begin to question the traditional hierarchy between the fine and the applied arts.