Tlalmanalco I 1975

Leonard Lehrer made this etching, Tlalmanalco I, in 1975 using an intaglio printmaking technique. The process involves incising lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then transferring the image onto paper. It’s a very physical, labor-intensive process, a kind of drawing in metal. Looking at the image, you can see how Lehrer embraces the materiality of the medium. The lines are not just outlines, they create texture and depth. Take a look at the figure’s headdress. See how the lines build up, creating a sense of volume and weight. The etching feels almost sculptural, like a relief carving, or some ancient artifact. The way Lehrer has used the technique reminds me a bit of Dürer’s engravings, particularly in the way he builds up tone using cross-hatching and stippling. Ultimately, this is a mysterious and evocative image, one that invites us to slow down, look closely, and imagine new worlds.