[no title] 1956

Editor: Here we have an untitled etching by Pierre Soulages. The stark black ink against the pale paper is quite striking. What are your thoughts on how the printmaking process shapes our understanding of this work? Curator: Consider how the etching process itself – the labor, the acid, the repeated actions – imbues the image with meaning. The 'outrenoir,' the use of black, isn't just aesthetic; it's about the transformation of materials and the artist's engagement with industrial processes. The work becomes an artifact of its making. Editor: So, the material process is just as important as the final image? Curator: Absolutely. It challenges the traditional separation of artistic concept and manual execution, highlighting the social and economic context of production. The physicality is key. Editor: That really makes you think about what went into creating this piece. Thanks!