Waiting c. 1879

Mary Cassatt made this print, entitled "Waiting," using drypoint and aquatint techniques. This essentially means incising lines directly into a metal plate with a sharp needle, and then using acid to erode areas for tonal effect. Look closely and you can see how the marks vary in depth and density, creating a range of textures. The drypoint gives a velvety softness, while the aquatint adds atmospheric depth. These tonal variations are difficult to achieve, requiring both skill and the repetitive, almost meditative, action of layering lines or stopping out areas of the plate. The processes used in the making of this image echo the labor of other forms of print production, which fueled the expansion of mass media. Cassatt elevated these techniques, associated with commercial reproduction, into the realm of fine art. This challenges traditional distinctions, inviting us to consider the cultural and social significance embedded in the materials and processes themselves.