Portrait of Chief Justice Chase 1890

Max Rosenthal created this portrait of Chief Justice Chase using etching, a printmaking technique dependent on the division of labor. The artist would have first prepared a metal plate, coating it with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Using a needle, Rosenthal scratched an image into the ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating recessed grooves. To create the print, ink was applied to the plate, filling these lines. The surface was wiped clean, and then paper was pressed firmly against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the image you see. While Rosenthal was responsible for the composition and skillful execution of the etching, this process required many skilled hands. The production of the metal plate, the preparation of the ground, the mixing of inks – all were essential to the final result. Thinking about the labor involved in printmaking reminds us that even seemingly singular works of art are often the product of collaborative effort.