Puerta de Bisagra Nueva, Toledo 1904

Joseph Pennell created this print of the Puerta de Bisagra Nueva in Toledo, Spain, using etching, a printmaking technique that allows for detailed linear work. Pennell would have covered a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then drawn his image with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This process creates grooves that hold ink. The plate is then cleaned, inked, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The character of the etched line—its fineness, depth, and variation—shapes the final print. Notice how Pennell uses a dense network of lines to convey the weight and texture of the stone gate, contrasting with the lighter, more open lines used for the figures and sky. Pennell's choice of etching speaks to a broader interest in printmaking as a democratic art form, capable of circulating images widely, yet demanding considerable skill. By focusing on the materiality and process of printmaking, we gain a deeper appreciation of the artist's labor and the social context of the artwork.