Landscape (Paysage) 

Alphonse Legros created this landscape using etching, a printmaking technique with a rich history. The artist would have covered a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then, using a sharp needle, he’d scratch away the ground to expose the metal underneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the image is transferred to paper under high pressure. In "Landscape," we see how Legros uses the etched line to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The density of lines suggests the weight of the sky and the ruggedness of the landscape, while the relative ease of reproduction democratized artmaking and collecting, making images more accessible to a wider audience. Considering the labor-intensive process of etching allows us to appreciate the skill and time involved in creating this image. It also reminds us of the broader social context in which art is made and consumed.