Still Life 

This still life print was made by Irene Aronson, who was born in 1918. She has used the etching technique, and the image is rendered in tones of yellow, green, and brown. The textures and forms have been created by etching lines into a metal plate. The plate is inked, and then pressed onto paper. The pressure forces the paper into the etched lines, transferring the ink and creating the image. This process requires careful handling, as the depth and quality of the etching determine the richness of the final print. Etching as a form of printmaking is aligned with the rise of capitalism and the commodification of art, as multiple copies of an image can be produced and sold. Although it allows for greater access to art, the labor involved in creating each print should also be acknowledged. Aronson brings her own aesthetic sensibility to the composition. It is important to consider the materials, processes, and context when understanding the meaning of an artwork.