author
Maxime Lalanne
1827–1886
Best known for atmospheric etchings and charcoal drawings, this 19th-century French artist had a gift for turning city streets and quiet landscapes into scenes full of light and mood. His prints of Paris and other European views helped make him one of the admired printmakers of his time.
1 Audiobook
A Treatise on Etching
by Maxime Lalanne
About the author
Born in Bordeaux in 1827, Maxime Lalanne first studied in a more traditional academic path and even pursued law before fully committing to art. He moved to Paris in the early 1850s, studied with Jean-François Gigoux, and began exhibiting at the Salon, where his etchings and charcoal drawings drew attention for their delicacy and technical control.
Lalanne became especially known for etched views of Paris, along with landscapes and architectural scenes from France and beyond. His work is often praised for its quiet atmosphere, careful observation, and ability to make everyday places feel vivid and elegant.
He died in Nogent-sur-Marne in 1886, but his work continued to influence later printmakers. Today he is remembered as an important French etcher of the 19th century, with works held by major museums and collections.