Industrial Landscape c. 1940

Jolán Gross-Bettelheim created this print, “Industrial Landscape,” using etching, a process that directly informs its stark aesthetic. Etching involves biting a metal plate with acid to create recessed lines that hold ink. The controlled corrosion of the metal gives this print its sharp contrast, emphasizing the geometry of the industrial structures. Look closely, and you can see how the etched lines define the angular forms of buildings, bridges, and pipes, giving a sense of depth and scale to the urban environment. The processes of etching and printing were crucial for distributing images and ideas widely, especially during periods of rapid industrialization and social change. Gross-Bettelheim's choice of this medium connects her artistic practice to the realities of labor, production, and consumption, integral to modern life. By using these processes, Gross-Bettelheim elevates a scene of everyday labor and production into an aesthetic statement. This challenges the traditional hierarchy that separates fine art from craft.