"The Gauls and the Franks" from The Complete Works of Béranger 1836

This print, "The Gauls and the Franks," was created by J.J. Grandville in the 19th century, using etching or engraving on paper. Its dense, precise lines are achieved through the careful application of acid to a metal plate, or by manually incising lines into it. Considered a work of graphic art, it comes from a larger context of mass media. The printmaking process allowed for the wide distribution of images. Here, we see its capacity to shape public opinion. The subject – soldiers in battle – connects with the wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Note how much work went into producing this scene, not only in terms of the artistic skill required but also in its reflection on the labor of soldiers in war. By attending to its materials, making, and context, we can appreciate this print not just as an artwork but as a cultural artifact, revealing the intricate relationship between art, society, and the world of labor.