The Cat’s Garden 

This is Charles Blackman’s “The Cat’s Garden,” rendered in monochrome. It’s difficult to determine the date of the artwork without further information, but it could be estimated by analyzing the materials used. The print-making technique involved demands our attention. We can see marks that were not made by a brush, but rather, by some sort of stylus. The artist scratched away at a waxy surface on a plate, which was then submerged in acid, to bite away and leave an impression. A labor-intensive process, especially if, as here, a single colour is used to powerful effect. The materiality of this work is important. The final print carries a flat impression and a vibrant energy of what must have been many hours, and many stages, of labour. Thinking about artworks like this, we begin to see that these aren't isolated acts of genius. Rather, they are the product of deep engagement with materials, processes, and traditions. This print challenges the traditional distinction between fine art and craft.