Bridges 1996

Helen Frankenthaler’s "Bridges" is a print made using a combination of etching and aquatint, processes that allow for both linear detail and atmospheric color. These are not the traditional materials of a painter, but instead come from the world of printmaking, with its own logic of labor and reproduction. Frankenthaler, like many artists of her generation, was interested in pushing the boundaries of artistic media, and in this case, the physical properties of etching allowed her to achieve a unique visual effect. The aquatint creates soft, translucent areas of color that seem to float on the surface of the paper, while the etched lines give definition to the composition. The process involves applying acid to a metal plate to create recessed areas that hold ink. This is labor-intensive, involving the skilled hand of the artist in preparing the plate, applying the ink, and running it through a press. The result is a work that blurs the line between painting and printmaking, questioning traditional distinctions between unique artworks and multiples. By engaging with these methods, Frankenthaler acknowledges the history of printmaking, a field often associated with craft, while asserting her own artistic vision.