Bird-of-Paradise 1984

This is Jim Dine’s “Bird-of-Paradise,” made with etching on paper. Etching is an indirect method of printmaking, involving corrosive acid to produce a design in intaglio on a metal plate which is then inked and printed. Look closely and you’ll see how the material influences the image: the acid bites into the metal, creating lines that vary in depth and thickness. This gives the print a rich, textured quality that’s quite different from a drawing made directly on paper. The stark contrast between the black ink and the white paper creates a dramatic effect, highlighting the plant's exotic form. Dine skillfully exploits the potential of the etching process. His engagement with this traditional technique underscores how even a familiar medium can yield strikingly modern results. It reminds us that all artmaking is rooted in material processes, and that these techniques have their own histories, which are tied to the wider world of labor, skill, and craft. By attending to these factors, we can fully appreciate Dine’s art.