Two Nudes at Rest (Femmes se reposant) 1931

This print, Two Nudes at Rest, was made by Pablo Picasso using etching, a printmaking technique with a long history. In etching, a metal plate, often copper, is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating with a needle, exposing the metal. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are “bitten,” creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. The lines in this print have a delicacy, achieved through a skilled understanding of pressure and timing in the acid bath. The etched line itself has a unique quality, neither a drawing nor a painting, but something in between. Although Picasso is celebrated for his paintings, prints like this demonstrate his mastery of other creative practices. Considering this work in terms of its making helps us appreciate Picasso's broader engagement with the world of craft.