The Fisherman's Dog 1800

Samuel William Reynolds created "The Fisherman's Dog" using the technique of mezzotint, a printmaking process that allows for rich tonal gradations. The velvety blacks and subtle grays are achieved by first roughening the entire copper plate with a tool called a rocker. This creates a surface that would print solid black. Then, the artist smooths or burnishes areas to varying degrees, creating lighter tones. The final print captures a range of values depending on the amount of smoothing. The labor-intensive process of mezzotint mirrors the life of the working class, like the fisherman depicted. Both involve painstaking effort. Reynolds elevates a humble subject matter through this demanding process. He reminds us that artistry lies not only in the image, but also in the skill and labor embedded in its creation. It’s a reminder to value the craftsmanship behind what we see.