By the Theatre c. 1930 - 1935

Irving Wolfson made this print, "By the Theatre," using etching, a traditional method of printmaking. The image starts with a metal plate, usually copper or zinc, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The deeper the grooves, the more ink they will hold. Once the coating is removed, the plate is inked, and then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see how Wolfson uses the etched line to capture a sense of urban life and social interactions, depicting a crowd gathered outside a theatre. The labor involved in the production process is evident in the artist's lines. By emphasizing the materials, the making, and the context of the artwork, we understand its full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.