Ships in a Breeze (Liber Studiorum, part II, plate 10) 1808

Joseph Mallord William Turner created this print, "Ships in a Breeze," using etching and mezzotint. These are both laborious printmaking processes, involving the careful manipulation of a metal plate. The image is made by first etching lines into the metal with acid, and then further shading the image by roughening areas of the plate, creating a burr which holds ink. It’s a slow process of building up tone and texture. Look at the way Turner captures the turbulent sea, the swells and troughs rendered through this careful modulation. You can almost feel the spray. Turner was deeply engaged with industrial modernity, and printmaking allowed him to disseminate his vision widely. The *Liber Studiorum* was conceived as a compendium of his work, making it accessible to a broad audience. Yet, the human touch is still evident in every line and shadow. Considering the amount of labor involved in the printmaking process gives us a new appreciation for the artistry involved, and bridges the gap between the industrial and the handcrafted.