Mona 1911

Anders Zorn created this print, Mona, using etching. The method involves biting a metal plate with acid to create an image, an indirect process with a long history. Consider how the etched lines define Mona’s face, clothing and hands. The etched line is like handwriting, with the quality of the line determined by the pressure applied and the specific tool used. It also imparts a tonal dimension to the print. Look closely at the various densities and arrangements of lines to form patterns, creating light and dark, and conveying texture. Zorn was celebrated in his time as a virtuoso printmaker. As the art market grew in the late 19th century, printmaking became a common way for artists to disseminate their work. The multiplication of images through mechanical means was a novel development that changed the landscape of artistic production. Considering the material and the labor involved reveals how the work is connected to a broader cultural and economic context.