Augustus Saint Gaudens II (Saint Gaudens and his Model) 1897

Anders Zorn made this etching, "Augustus Saint Gaudens II (Saint Gaudens and his Model)," using lines cut into a metal plate. The character of the etched line gives the image its distinctive look. Notice how the density and direction of the lines create shading and volume. In a way, it’s like a topographical map, using marks to describe a three-dimensional form. Zorn was a master of this technique, creating incredibly subtle effects with a simple vocabulary of strokes. Etching has a long history, situated between craft and industrial production. On the one hand, it demands great skill, patience, and artistic sensitivity. On the other, the process allows for the reproduction of images on a mass scale, so that it speaks to the industrial era and the distribution of images to a wide audience. By focusing on the material and the process, we can consider how these factors contribute to the meaning and historical significance of this artwork.