Plate II, from "History of Porcelain"

Art Historical Context

This etching, Plate II from the1862 publication *History of Porcelain*, showcases the collaborative talents of printer Auguste Delâtre and etcher Jules-Ferdinand Jacquemart. Created during a period of renewed interest in decorative arts and industrial design in France, the print exemplifies how 19th-century artists used etching to document and celebrate the intricate beauty of porcelain objects. Delâtre’s expertise in printing techniques ensured crisp impressions, while Jacquemart’s precise linework captured the delicate forms and patterns typical of historical ceramics. Etching proved an ideal medium for such projects, allowing artists to reproduce fine details like subtle shading and ornamental motifs with remarkable clarity. As part of a larger series exploring porcelain’s cultural evolution, this work reflects broader 19th-century efforts to preserve and study artistic traditions amid rapid industrialization. Today, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1947, offering visitors a glimpse into both the technical mastery of etching and the enduring allure of porcelain’s history.