Morning on St. John's, Florida 1886

Thomas Moran created this print, *Morning on St. John's, Florida*, using etching, a printmaking technique that marries industrial processes with artistic skill. The image begins as a drawing on a metal plate, which is then bitten by acid to create incised lines. Ink fills these lines, and then the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Moran was known for his landscape paintings, and this print gives us a sense of his working methods. The etched lines vary in thickness and density, suggesting the atmospheric effects of light and water. It's worth remembering that even prints like this one rely on a division of labor. The artist creates the image, but skilled printers and papermakers are also essential to the process. By combining a commercially viable process with his personal artistry, Moran found a way to reach a wider audience, connecting the intimate craft of printmaking with the burgeoning art market.