The Old Beach House, Corner of Cedar and Greenwich Streets (from Scenes of Old New York) 1874

Henry Farrer created "The Old Beach House" in 1876 using etching, a printmaking technique reliant on acid to cut into a metal plate. The network of fine lines we see results from the artist drawing through a waxy ground applied to the metal. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied into these grooves, the surface wiped clean, and then the image is transferred to paper under pressure. The beauty of etching lies in its capacity for detail and texture. Farrer masterfully uses the medium to capture the timeworn surfaces of the old house, contrasting it with the smoother facades of the buildings around it. This contrast speaks volumes about the changing face of New York. The detailed labor involved in the etching process mirrors the labor of urban life depicted. The print preserves a moment in time, embedding within it the social and economic realities of the era. It blurs boundaries between fine art and craft through skilled techniques and social commentary.