Walchensee 1923

Lovis Corinth made this print, entitled 'Walchensee', using the etching technique. Here, a metal plate, likely copper or zinc, has been coated with a waxy ground. The artist then scratched into this ground with a needle, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are bitten, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. The image is transferred to paper under high pressure using a printing press. Corinth’s bold, gestural lines capture the raw beauty of the Walchensee landscape. The etching process allows for a remarkable level of detail, while simultaneously retaining an immediacy that mirrors the artist's direct engagement with the scene. Although the means of production are not visible in the final image, the artist's labor and vision are deeply embedded within it. This print reminds us that true understanding comes from appreciating the materials, the making, and the context.