Interior of Amiens Cathedral 1931

Albany E. Howarth created this etching of the Interior of Amiens Cathedral. The printmaking process hinges on the strategic eroding of a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc. To make this print, Howarth would have covered a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Using a pointed tool, he then scratched away the ground, exposing the metal beneath in an incredibly intricate design. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, incising the image. After removing the ground, the plate was inked and then pressed onto paper, resulting in the delicate and intricate final print. Look closely, and you can see how the etched lines define the architectural grandeur of the cathedral, as well as the almost overwhelming detail. The tonal variation evokes the play of light and shadow within the sacred space. Consider too, that Howarth chose to depict a space originally constructed through immense labor, now translated through another set of demanding skills. The making of this print certainly testifies to the enduring value of craft in representing even the most monumental of human achievements.