Olive Pickers 1961

Moishe Smith created this print, "Olive Pickers," using an etching technique. To create an etching like this, a metal plate is covered with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground with a needle, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. These grooves hold the ink, and the image is transferred to paper under high pressure. The velvety quality of the blacks and greys in "Olive Pickers" results from this process. Smith's choice of printmaking, a medium often associated with reproduction and accessibility, makes the scene of manual labor feel immediate. The print doesn't shy away from showing the work involved in harvesting olives, a job connected to both agricultural tradition and economic necessity. Ultimately, understanding the labor-intensive process behind this print enhances our appreciation of the labor it depicts. It bridges the gap between the artist's studio and the olive grove.