The Lobsterman's House c. 19th century

Stephen Parrish made "The Lobsterman's House" using etching, a printmaking technique known for its fine detail. The process begins with a metal plate, usually copper or zinc, covered in a waxy, acid-resistant coating. The artist scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. The deep blacks and subtle gradations of tone in Parrish's print result from carefully controlled biting and inking. The image depicts not a grand estate, but a humble dwelling, its boats pulled ashore – a testament to the labor it takes to wrest a living from the sea. The etching process, with its reliance on craft and skill, is perfectly suited to this subject. It reminds us that art is also work.