Darkness and Light
Artist
Reynold H. Weidenaar
(American, 1915–1985)
Date1952
Mediumcolor mezzotint, progressive color proof (blue)
Dimensionsplate: 34.9 x 43.1 cm (13 3/4 x 16 15/16 in.)
sheet: 44.2 x 58.6 cm (17 3/8 x 23 1/16 in.)
sheet: 44.2 x 58.6 cm (17 3/8 x 23 1/16 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineAnonymous Fund
Object number1989.5.5
Label TextReynold Henry Weidenaar (1915-1985)
Aside from his expertise in lithography and traditional intaglio methods, master printmaker Reynold Weidenaar is best known for his virtuoso abilities in mezzotint. Along with Japanese artist Yozo Hamaguchi, Weidenaar helped rescue mezzotint from obsolescence in the mid-twentieth century.
The velvety tones in mezzotints, or half-tints, are the result of a lengthy process, made even more so by Weidenaar’s use of multiple color plates for Darkness and Light (1952). A mezzotint begins with a polished plate which is uniformly roughened using a tool called a rocker. The rocker has a half-moon shaped blade which is rolled back and forth over the entirety of the plate. If printed in this state, the resulting image would be almost entirely black. To produce light tones again, the incised lines are burnished, or rubbed out. These newly smoothed areas will hold no ink. In Weidenaar’s case, this task was repeated for each color plate. In the upper right corner of the finished print, an unexpected red rectangular shape is next to the far right column. It served as a registration guide so each color proof would be lined up correctly before printing.
ProvenanceWilliam Greenbaum Fine Prints, Gloucester, MAOn View
Not on view
