Harlech Castle in Wales Possibly 1880 - 1885

Sir Francis Seymour Haden made this etching of Harlech Castle in Wales, using a metal plate to transfer his design to paper. He was a surgeon by trade, and a printmaker in his leisure time. Notice the stark contrast Haden achieved through the etching process, using dense lines to convey the imposing structure of the castle against the sky. The aquatint gives a sense of depth. Etching and aquatint were favored by artists seeking to reproduce images widely, at a time when photography was still developing. In Haden’s case, the print medium allowed him to engage with the subject of Harlech Castle, but also to explore the material qualities of the printed line itself. His skilled manipulation of the etching needle and acid bath, imbues the image with a sense of atmosphere and depth. By emphasizing the craft of printmaking, Haden elevates a traditionally ‘lesser’ art form to a level of expressive intensity. In this way, he invites us to consider the value of both process and subject matter.