Das Vogelpaar 1947 - 1948

Imre Reiner created "Das Vogelpaar" around 1947-48, using the graphic technique of etching. The medium allows for a wonderful spectrum of tonal variety to describe a pair of birds. To create an etching like this, the artist would have first applied a waxy ground to a metal plate. Reiner then scratched his image into the ground, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate was immersed in acid, it would bite only where the metal was exposed. The plate is then inked and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. In the postwar period, this graphic medium was prized for its relative affordability, allowing artists to reach a wider audience. Also, the stark, linear quality is well suited to the psychological tenor of the time. So, while this image depicts a pair of birds, consider its value as a widely accessible method of creative expression. We can appreciate the materials, the making, and the historical context of the work.