The Kiss c. 1950s

Harold Persico Paris made this print, "The Kiss," using etching, a traditional intaglio process. The artist would have applied a waxy ground to a metal plate, drawn an image into it, and then immersed the plate in acid. The acid bites away the exposed metal, creating incised lines. Ink is then forced into these lines, the surface of the plate wiped clean, and the image transferred to paper using a printing press. Note the skeletal figures, created through labor-intensive work, yet reproduced for wider consumption. The artist's hand is evident in every line, a stark contrast to mass-produced imagery. Paris may be commenting on the commodification of intimacy, suggesting that even the most profound human connections can be subjected to social pressures. Paying attention to the materials and processes used by artists helps us understand the deeper meaning of their work. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, revealing the social and cultural significance embedded in every mark and impression.