Impressions of Rain, Rouen 1883

Camille Pissarro created this etching, "Impressions of Rain, Rouen," using a metal plate, likely copper or zinc, and strong acid. The image's atmospheric quality stems directly from the etching process. Pissarro would have coated the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then scratched his design into it, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would bite away at these lines, creating grooves that hold ink. The depth and darkness of the lines depend on the duration and strength of the acid bath, creating a range of tones. The wiping of ink, the pressure of the printing press, and the absorbency of the paper, all influence the final image. This print captures a slice of modern urban life, with laborers and horses on the rain-slicked streets of Rouen. Consider the labor involved: not only the artist's, but also the work of the figures depicted, the working class who powered the industrializing city. Pissarro's embrace of printmaking democratized art, making it more accessible to a wider audience, a move aligned with his social consciousness.