Flowers 1955

Helene d’Andlau made this print, titled "Flowers," in 1955, using etching techniques. The process of etching is fascinating because it relies on acid to do the work of cutting into the metal plate. D’Andlau would have coated the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then scratched her design into it, exposing the metal underneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites away at the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is then forced into these lines, the surface wiped clean, and the image transferred to paper under high pressure, revealing this delicate composition. What's really interesting here is how this blend of technical precision and material interaction gives the print its character. The quality of the lines, the subtle textures, and the overall tone are all direct results of the materials and process used. This challenges the traditional view of printmaking as simply a reproductive technique. It’s a handcrafted, intimate, and expressive medium, deeply connected to both labor and artistic vision.