Old Putney Bridge 1879

James McNeill Whistler created this etching of Old Putney Bridge, using a copper plate and acid to bite the design into its surface. This method, known as etching, is all about controlled degradation. Whistler would have meticulously applied a waxy ground to the plate, scratched his image into it, and then submerged the plate in acid. The acid etches away the exposed copper, creating the lines that hold ink. The final print is a direct result of this chemical interaction, a testament to the artist's mastery of materials and process. The social context here is that of industrialization and infrastructure, and the amount of labor involved in the construction of the bridge. Consider how Whistler's printmaking mirrors the bridge-building it depicts: both involve layers of planning and skilled execution. Whistler, like the engineers of the bridge, uses his chosen material to create an evocative image of London life. By focusing on process, materials, and context, we can see how art and craft intertwine to tell a richer story.