"Etching On Silvered Copper"
Frame with etching on silver-plated copper. Decor of a gallant scene signed B. (Bernard) WICKER titled "LE COLIN-MAILLARD". 1880-1900. Etching is a process of engraving a varnished copper plate. The parts from which the varnish has been removed by scraping by the artist are attacked with nitric acid, producing a contrast of solids and hollows - the varnished parts remaining unscathed by the acid's attacks. The engraved plate is then classically silvered by electrolysis in the 19th century. Nicolas Lancret, who inspired this work, is a French painter (1690 - 1743). It depicted the spirit of light comedy characteristic of the tastes and mores of French society of the Regency era. 
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