Perzië 1772 - 1779

Etienne Claude Voysard made this print, titled ‘Persia’, using etching; a chemical process using acid to cut lines into a metal plate, which then holds ink to transfer the design onto paper. Look closely, and you’ll see the etched lines create a world of symbolic ornamentation, but also speak to the labor involved in their creation. Lines accumulate to construct depth and shadow, achieved through the meticulous craft of the printmaker. It is this accumulation of marks, layered with detail that demonstrates the artisanal skill of Voysard. Notice the way these skills were used to produce and disseminate images of cultural and political interest. Here, Persia and its religions are presented, no doubt filtered through a European lens, and thus contributing to a wider visual economy of knowledge. By focusing on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of its production, we can appreciate the print not just as a picture, but as a trace of skilled labor, infused with cultural meaning.