Untitled (caravan) c. 19th century

This small print, made by William B. Closson, is made from engraved wood, a process by which an image is carved into the end-grain of the block. The material of wood is critical here. Its relative hardness allows for a high level of detail, and the way the artist has worked the surface allows for a stunning range of tonal variation. Lines create visual texture, mass, and depth to render the scene of a caravan procession. It’s worth considering the labor involved in making something like this; the skill of the artist, of course, but also the behind-the-scenes economies that would have allowed the artist to have time and resources to dedicate to such a meticulous process. Thinking about materials and making in this way gives us a deeper sense of the image’s significance. It is a beautiful and evocative depiction, but also a document of the artistic practices of its time.