Vrouwen rijgen kralen 1879 - 1880

This image is an etching, made by James McNeill Whistler, with the title "Women Stringing Beads." Etching is an intaglio printmaking technique, where a metal plate, typically copper, is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called a ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground with a needle, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The whole plate is inked and then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched grooves. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the inked image. The character of the drawn line is quite different from that of a pencil or pen. We can clearly see the precise marks of the needle, and the tonal variations achieved by varying the depth and density of the etched lines. This reproductive method allowed for the wide distribution of images, reflecting the rise of consumer culture and the art market. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, raising questions about labor, production, and accessibility in the art world.