Mountain Serenity 1944

Harold Lukens Doolittle made this print, Mountain Serenity, using a process called etching, a printmaking technique that's all about controlled corrosion. The magic begins with a metal plate, likely copper, coated in a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Doolittle would have then drawn his serene mountain landscape into this ground with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. Immersing the plate in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. The longer the bath, the deeper and darker the lines become. What’s left is an image in the metal, which when inked and pressed onto paper, creates a mirror image of the scene he drew. Look closely, and you can see the quality of the lines achieved through this process: a testament to Doolittle’s artistry. This work reminds us that even in an age of mass production, handmade processes offer a unique avenue for creative expression. The skilled labor of the artist is deeply embedded in the final print.