Two Boats c. 19th century

Otto Bacher created this etching, Two Boats, using a metal plate, likely copper or zinc, and acid to bite the image into its surface. Bacher would have applied an acid-resistant ground, scratched his composition into it, and then immersed the plate in acid. Look closely, and you'll notice the rich blacks achieved through the etching process, contrasting with the bare paper. See how the fine, closely spaced lines define the forms of the boats and the distant buildings. This would have required careful control of the acid's strength and the duration of the etching. The printmaking process is one of indirect labor. The artist doesn't directly create the image you see, but rather sets up a chain of actions – drawing, biting, inking, and pressing – each contributing to the final result. This aligns with the emerging industrial processes of Bacher's time. By focusing on process, we recognize that this print is not just a picture, but the result of skillful manipulation, tied to the social context of labor and production.