Singer Waiting 1889 - 1890

Georges-William Thornley created "Singer Waiting" using etching on paper. This printmaking technique involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The brown ink Thornley used gives the image a warm, intimate feel, like a glimpse into a private moment. Etching is a process that allows for detailed lines and textures, as you can see in the rendering of the figures' clothing and hair. It requires skill and patience to create the desired image. Thornley’s choice of etching as a medium is interesting because it speaks to a tradition of printmaking that was both artistic and commercial. Prints could be sold relatively inexpensively, making art accessible to a wider audience. In "Singer Waiting," the artist captured a sense of anticipation, perhaps reflecting the precariousness of the singer's profession. The work reminds us that art is not just about the image, but also about the labor and social context that goes into making it.