Old Butter Market, Bruges c. 20th century

Editor: This is Herman Armour Webster's "Old Butter Market, Bruges." It’s a lovely little etching. I’m really drawn to the textures, especially the cobblestone. What strikes you about it? Curator: Consider the printmaking process itself. The etching needle dragged across the metal plate to create these marks. The acid bath, the wiping of ink. It's a very labor-intensive process to depict a space of labor and trade. Notice how the lines are so dense and varied. Editor: So you see a connection between the physical work of making the print and the subject of the print? Curator: Exactly. The market isn’t just a pretty scene; it represents a whole system of production and consumption. Webster’s process mirrors that. Editor: That's a great insight. I hadn't considered the labor involved in both the making and the subject. Curator: Seeing the human element in the materials is key.