Trofeeën met vlaggen 1771

Pierre François Tardieu made this etching, 'Trophies with Flags', using the intaglio process. This printmaking technique involves incising an image into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then transferring the image to paper under high pressure. The material qualities of the print – its fineness of line and delicate tonal range – stem directly from this method, which allowed Tardieu to render the textures of the military regalia with precision. Note the woven baskets, furled flags, and gleaming weaponry, all suggestive of the spoils of war. Etchings like this one were often made in multiples, to circulate widely. In this respect, they parallel the military culture that is their subject. Both are about large-scale, coordinated actions, requiring many hands to achieve their effects. The relatively low cost of prints like this, as compared to unique works of art, put them within the reach of a broad audience, making them a potent vehicle for celebrating nationalistic sentiment.