Rhinoceros 1940 - 1950

This is Leonard Baskin's "Rhinoceros," an etching on paper. The image itself is quite small, centered on a much larger piece of paper. The technique of etching involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid. The plate is then inked, and the ink wiped away, remaining only in the etched lines. When the plate is pressed against paper, it transfers the image. As you can see here, etching allows for a great deal of detail. Printmaking, including etching, is closely tied to the industrial revolution. It's a means of production that allows images to be reproduced in multiples. This aligns with the rise of capitalism and mass production. Yet the hand-made nature of etching, as opposed to photomechanical printing, gives it a unique position. It sits between the traditions of fine art and the world of industrial reproduction. In this work, Baskin reminds us of the labor and skill involved in the making process itself. The medium is integral to understanding this striking image.