Kafka-ville: A View of Prague 1977

Moishe Smith created this print, Kafka-ville: A View of Prague, using etching, a printmaking technique with a long history. Etching involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, and the depth of these lines determines the darkness of the printed image. Look closely, and you'll see the incredible level of detail that Smith achieved. This wasn’t a quick process; it required careful application of the acid, and stopping it at just the right time. What’s interesting is that this technique, historically associated with mass production, is here used to create a unique artistic vision. The print almost seems to vibrate with the intensity of human labor. It reminds us that even seemingly mechanical processes like etching are rooted in skilled handwork. Thinking about the material and the making helps us to see the social significance of the image. It gives us insight into how artists grapple with modern life, and find ways to express it through traditional forms.