Moonlight at Low Tide c. 1885

James Craig Nicoll created this etching, Moonlight at Low Tide, using a metal plate, acid, and ink. The etcher carefully coats a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. He then scratches an image into the coating, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. After removing the coating, the plate is inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, damp paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. The result is a print with a velvety texture, where the ink sits slightly raised on the paper. The printmaking process itself democratizes art. Unlike painting or sculpture, multiple identical impressions can be made, making it more accessible to a wider audience. The labor-intensive process also connects the artist to the skilled traditions of metalworking and printing, reflecting the intersection of art, craft, and industry.