Larva VI 1967

Frantisek Muzika made this print, Larva VI, using etching, a medium rooted in craft traditions and skilled labor. To create this image, Muzika coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. Then, using a sharp needle, he scratched away the coating, exposing the metal beneath. When dipped in acid, the exposed lines would be eaten away, creating grooves. The depth of the lines would determine how much ink they held, and thus, the darkness of the lines in the final print. The resulting image has a graphic quality, lending the abstract shapes a tactile, organic quality. There is a considerable amount of handwork involved in the etching process. As with all printmaking, the final image is part of a potentially limitless series of multiples. Here, Muzika's process embodies craft, skill, and the potential for reproduction, complicating the boundaries of fine art.