V Kleci/In a Cage 1992

Jirí Brázda made this etching on paper, titled 'In a Cage.' The process of etching starts with a metal plate, often copper or zinc. The artist coats the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then draws through this layer, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. In this case, Brázda used the etching process to create a composition dominated by architectural forms and fragmented figures. The fine lines give the image a delicate, almost ethereal quality, while the contrast between light and shadow adds depth and drama. What's interesting here is the dialogue between the skilled craft of etching and the expressionistic subject matter. This tension reminds us that artistic expression is always mediated by the materials and processes at hand.