Print 5 1967

Bernard Cohen created "Print 5" using lithography, a printmaking technique that relies on the careful application of ink to a stone or metal plate. The resulting image—a single dark circle surrounded by a faint aura of progressively lighter tones—is almost meditative in its simplicity. The lithographic process, however, is anything but simple. It requires a deep understanding of materials: the way that ink interacts with the plate, the pressure needed to transfer the image onto paper, and the subtle variations that can occur with each print. Cohen’s engagement with lithography speaks to a broader interest in the intersection of art and craft. By embracing a process that demands both technical skill and artistic vision, he challenges traditional hierarchies that separate fine art from more ‘hands-on’ practices. This elevation of process, and the labor involved, encourages us to appreciate the artistry inherent in the making itself.