Vauxhall Bridge 1861

James Abbott McNeill Whistler created 'Vauxhall Bridge' in 1861, using etching on paper. Whistler wasn't interested in traditional heroic narratives, but rather in the fleeting impressions of modern life. This print demonstrates the intricate process of etching, where the artist carefully draws lines on a metal plate covered with wax, and then immerses the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. When the plate is pressed onto paper, it transfers the image. The result here is a network of fine, deliberate lines, full of texture and tone. Think about the skilled labor involved in this process. The artist as a craftsman, mastering the tools and materials to capture a scene from everyday life. The industrial revolution is in full swing, and the bridge itself is a testament to this progress. Yet, Whistler chooses to depict it through an age-old craft technique, elevating the ordinary to art. This piece asks us to reconsider what we value and how we define art in an age of mass production.