The Scotch Widow 1875

James McNeill Whistler made this work, called 'The Scotch Widow,' through etching, which is essentially drawing with acid on metal. Think of it as industrial drawing; etching emerged alongside factories, and allowed artists to print images in multiples. Whistler was particularly interested in the graphic qualities of etching – the way that a dense cluster of lines could evoke shadow, while the untouched paper could suggest light. The matrix of lines here almost veils the sitter, rendering her anonymous. You can see the marks of production in the final piece. Look closely and you'll see that it’s not just about the image, but also about the labor and artistry embedded in the process. The material and making of this etching challenges distinctions between high art and craft. It reminds us that every artwork carries within it the traces of human effort and ingenuity.