Pilot Town, La. 1882

This print, Pilot Town, La., was made by Joseph Pennell, using etching – an indirect process that yields images of great detail. Here, it's all about the marks. Pennell used acid to bite into a metal plate, creating recessed lines that would hold ink. The dense cluster of lines describe the textures and forms of a Louisiana town. Buildings on stilts crowd the foreground, followed by water, and then more buildings. It’s a tour-de-force of the etcher’s art, using line and tone to suggest an entire world. Looking at the image, you can almost feel the humidity and the close proximity of buildings and boats. Note the way Pennell suggests the reflections in the water, with a series of quick, decisive strokes. This image is an incredible feat that is tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, and the amount of work involved in the production process. Ultimately, this print reminds us that even a seemingly simple image can be the result of a complex interplay of materials, making, and social context.