Little Salute 1879 - 1880

James McNeill Whistler made this etching, Little Salute, using metal, acid, and ink. The etching process allows for incredibly fine lines, capturing the hazy atmosphere of Venice. Whistler, influenced by Japanese prints, favored a ‘less is more’ aesthetic, reducing detail to capture the essence of a scene. Etching requires skill. The artist covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, draws through it to expose the metal, and then bathes the plate in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. Ink is then applied, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the image is transferred to paper using a printing press. Whistler’s choice of etching was radical. Traditionally seen as a reproductive medium, he elevated it to fine art. By emphasizing the handmade process and subtle variations, Whistler challenged the industrialization of image-making, and invited us to consider the relationship between labor, art, and commerce.