Aldrich’s Dog c. late 1880s

Arthur Bowen Davies made this print, Aldrich’s Dog, using ink on paper. Its linear quality comes from a process known as etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Note the contrast between the dark, dense lines describing the dog's fur, and the lighter, more gestural marks that suggest the background. This creates a sense of depth and texture, emphasizing the dog's substantial presence. The dog itself, likely a hunting breed, is meticulously rendered, its collar and leash suggesting a life of both work and privilege. Prints like these occupied an interesting place in the art world. Not quite unique artworks, but not exactly mass-produced either. They allowed for wider distribution of images, making art more accessible. In a way, Davies was participating in a kind of artistic labor, creating images for a growing market of art consumers, thus challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.