Scheiferhutte 1870 - 1928

Gottfried Lorenz created 'Schieferhutte' using etching, a printmaking process with a fascinating history tied to labor and craft. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called a ground, through which the artist scratches an image. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating a print. The labor-intensive nature of etching meant it was often employed for mass production of images, making art accessible to a wider audience. Yet, it also allowed for great artistic expression and detailed works like this one. Lorenz's print invites us to consider how such techniques blur the lines between craft and fine art, and how processes shape the very meaning and value we ascribe to an artwork.