Winter Quarters c. 1936 - 1939

Kálmán Kubinyi created "Winter Quarters" using an etching technique. This printmaking process involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, to create a design. Here, the image is dominated by a large ship, rendered with precise, closely-spaced lines that capture the texture of its hull and the surrounding industrial landscape. The fineness of the etched lines allows for a high level of detail, creating a sense of depth and solidity. Etching is not just a means of reproduction; it's a labor-intensive process that requires skill and patience. The artist's hand is evident in the controlled lines and the careful rendering of light and shadow, which give the image a distinctive aesthetic quality, reminiscent of the industrial age. Kubinyi elevated this scene of the working harbor to something monumental. It challenges the conventional hierarchy between fine art and craft. It shows how industrial production can be a subject of artistic contemplation.