Rue de Faubourg St. Jacques 1935

David Smith made this etching, "Rue de Faubourg St. Jacques," using traditional printmaking methods. This choice of material and process is significant. While Smith is best known for his large steel sculptures, here he turns to the more intimate medium of etching. The fine lines and subtle tones are achieved by carefully incising an image into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. This is a labor-intensive process, demanding a high degree of skill and control. The resulting print has a tactile quality, inviting close inspection. It is interesting to see the contrast between the industrial material he uses for his sculptures and the traditional techniques he employs here. Yet, even in this small-scale work, Smith's interest in form and structure is evident. The print's social significance lies in its engagement with the history of printmaking, a medium often associated with social commentary and the dissemination of ideas. By embracing both the industrial and the artisanal, Smith challenges traditional hierarchies between art and craft, inviting us to consider the value of all forms of making.