Georg Arsenius 1898

Anders Zorn created this etching, "Georg Arsenius," using metal, acid, and ink. As an etcher, Zorn demonstrates an expertise in manipulating metal plates to capture form and texture. The fine lines and the tonal gradations we see were achieved by covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. Zorn then drew through this layer, exposing the metal. When the plate was immersed in acid, the exposed lines were etched into the surface, creating grooves that would hold ink. The pressure of the printing press then transferred the image onto paper. Zorn’s loose lines speak to the immediacy of the artistic process. His focus on the etched line elevates what might be seen as a humble material into a sophisticated aesthetic. The result challenges traditional hierarchies of art by highlighting the skill and labor involved in printmaking.