Suffering Woman 1965

Philip Evergood created this etching, "Suffering Woman," in 1965, using a metal plate and acid to bring forth the image. Etching is an inherently reproductive medium, capable of producing multiples, and in this case, it is a "third artist proof." The velvety blacks and the wiry lines are a direct result of the etching process. Note how the acid bites into the metal, creating textures that vary in depth and darkness. This printmaking technique, which emerged during the Renaissance, allowed for the wide distribution of images, contributing to the rise of visual culture. The medium's capacity for intricate detail is evident in the faces of the figures. The subject matter seems a world away from the process involved. Yet, the artist's labor, biting through the metal plate, mirrors the toils of the working class, a recurring theme in Evergood's oeuvre. Considering materials, making, and context invites us to understand the artist's full intent, highlighting the social and cultural significance of this work.