The Veteran 1891

David Young Cameron made this print, "The Veteran," using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on acid to bite into a metal plate. The image is made up of finely-etched lines; the more lines in a given area, the darker it appears. Etching is an indirect process. The artist doesn't directly cut into the plate with a tool, like in engraving. Instead, they draw through a coating of wax or varnish, exposing the metal. Then, the plate is submerged in acid, which etches the drawn lines into the surface. This creates grooves that hold ink, which can then be printed onto paper. The subtle tones and fine details of "The Veteran" speak to Cameron's mastery of this demanding technique. Printmaking has always been tied to wider social issues, as prints are reproducible, and therefore comparatively democratic images. The amount of work involved in etching, the skilled tradition, and the way this reflects fine art aesthetics, reveals the meaning within the artwork. By understanding materials, making, and context, we truly appreciate it.