Spray of Flowers

Crayon manner etching was invented in the 18th century to simulate the texture of chalk drawings, which were very popular at the time. A tool with toothed points of varying thicknesses set at irregular intervals and angles (mattoir) imitated the random character of grains of chalk on textured paper. Etudes de fleurs d’après nature demonstrates how prints propagated floral designs that could be used in the applied arts. Artisans designing textiles or decorating furniture, for instance, were inspired by the compositions found on prints.