Beech Woods, from Early Spring in the Mountains Possibly 1922

Lovis Corinth made this print, *Beech Woods, from Early Spring in the Mountains*, using etching, a printmaking technique known for its fine lines and detailed textures. It begins with a metal plate, usually copper or zinc, covered with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist scratches an image into the ground with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Look closely and you can see how Corinth uses the etched lines to create areas of dark and light, capturing the dense texture of the forest. The stark contrast, achieved by varying the depth and density of the etched lines, enhances the print's dramatic, expressive quality. The physical act of etching, with its reliance on precise, repetitive movements, mirrors the repetitive, yet organic forms found in nature. Through the labor-intensive process of etching, Corinth transforms a commonplace scene into a meditation on the relationship between human intervention and natural forms. This challenges our notions of what constitutes both art and craft.