Susanne 1907

Oluf Hartmann made this etching, Susanne, using a metal plate, acid, and ink. The relatively simple etching technique allows for highly detailed and expressive marks. Hartmann scratched lines into the metal, which were then bitten by acid to create grooves, and finally filled with ink for printing. The density of these lines determine the tonal range, from light grays to deep blacks. Look at how Hartmann uses this to create areas of dark shadow, offsetting the figures in the foreground. The labor-intensive and time-consuming process of etching means that each print is a unique artifact of a very particular practice, situated between industrial production and artistic creation. The finished print may seem immediate, even gestural, but it is important to remember the amount of work involved. Considering the materials, making, and context allows us to appreciate the artist's skill and effort, and to move beyond traditional distinctions between art and craft.