West Point (No. 16 of The Hudson River Portfolio) 1825

This print, "West Point," was made by John Hill, as part of "The Hudson River Portfolio." This wasn't just drawing: it was a complex industrial process. Hill used a technique called aquatint, a printmaking method which simulates the appearance of watercolor washes. It involves applying powdered resin to a copper plate, then etching around the granules. The plate is then inked and printed, resulting in an image with soft, tonal gradations, as we see here. The aquatint process was well-suited to mass production. It allowed publishers to create relatively inexpensive, visually appealing images for a growing market of consumers eager to experience the American landscape from the comfort of their homes. Prints like these fueled a romantic vision of the American landscape, even as industrialization transformed it. Consider the labor involved: from the mining of copper and the refinement of pigments, to the skilled hands of the engraver, and the printers. The final product reflects a complex interplay of artistry, industry, and commerce. It reminds us to consider the means of production, and their social and cultural implications.