Tibetan Gypsy Woman 

G. Douglas made this print, “Tibetan Gypsy Woman”, sometime in the 20th century, likely using etching and aquatint. These are printmaking processes involving coating a metal plate with wax, drawing an image through it, and then bathing the plate in acid. The etcher’s art lies in controlling the depth of the line through the amount of acid exposure. This print is also selectively colored, perhaps using watercolor washes. Look at the figure’s clothing, and the large basket she carries on her back; it's as if the printmaker has sought to render the textures of woven fabric, fur, and wicker. We might consider the labor involved in producing the print, as compared to the labor implied within the image itself. The woman appears burdened, but also resilient. She relies on the basketry to carry essential supplies for her journey. This print offers a glimpse into a particular moment, but it also prompts us to consider a much wider scope of activity and experience, as we consider it’s materiality.