Tumble Timbers 1926

Wanda Gág made "Tumble Timbers" using etching, a printmaking process that relies on acid to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed on paper. Etching is a craft that is both technical and precise, yet able to produce wonderfully expressive results. Gág here employs this process to create a scene that appears to be a ramshackle homestead, a site that is both enchanting and a little menacing. The sharp, dark lines of the etching emphasize the precariousness of the house’s structure, giving it a somewhat unsettling feeling. The craft of etching involves a lot of labor, from preparing the metal plate to carefully applying the acid. It demands an intensive process that connects directly with the subject matter of Gág's work, reflecting themes of rural life and the beauty in the everyday. The art challenges traditional views by celebrating the crafts and labor-intensive processes. In doing so, Gág elevates these practices, integrating them into the realm of fine art.