New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-03-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
. CLEVER ROCK ON ETCHING.


ETCHING IN AMERIC.; With Lists OF American
Etcbcrs and Notable Collections of Prints. by j. X
". HuCnCOCK. PIP " 90' NcW-1ofK' "n''e'
Stokes 4 Allen.
In uniting out this handsome little volume Mt
Hitchcock has done what should be distlnct
service TO etc hing in America. In its slender
compass several matters are discussed ranging from
the history of the art in this country to its present
apparent tendencies. The historical part Doth Us
10 etchcrs aud collectors will he of assistance 10
those interested in American etching ana So too
will be The specific suggestions regarding plates
typical of various methods of work when close the
discussion. All that Mr. Hitchcock says OF these
matters we fnd excellent but we pass hastily over
them 10 speak particularly of what seems to us inc
most valuable part of the book, namely ITS comment
on the present tendency of etching in America ana
its appeal in behalf of trnc original etching
II is true that anything engraved in metal by
means OF an acid is technically an etching, and in
this sense a certificate of membership in q hosc-com
pany is as truly an etching as the Hundred
Guldcr Print" And only by such large generalHa-
ton can many OF the prints shown at exhibitions
be accepted as etchings. But taking the name IN its
honorable sense. there are two kinds of etchlngS
deserving of consideration the reproductive, or
eugravcls etching ana the pune painters etching
A. method of engraving etching has the adVan-
tagc over set line engraving OF greater ieNbIIty'
freshness and sympathy of rendering. The value OF
any plate done IN this manner must depend upon
the merit of the picture interpreted and upOh the
skillwith which the translation has been made The
object is to tell inst as far as black andwhlte VIII
tell IT, the story of the paintings and the ability OF
the ctcher Is shown not only in his skill IN the
mechanics of his art Int by the intelligence with
which he makes his direction and quality ofline and
force of biting suggest the pecuartes OF the
picture All this assuming worthy subject, IS
honorable and praiscwOrthy art But no amount
of elaborate Interpretation, even II skliully DONE
can make n worthless drawing or painting appear
as n desirable etching And if t. unworthy design
is added imperfect technical rendering the result Is
the dreary inan,ty that we are fast becoming
familiar with under the name of etching. tut 10
the Dantcr etching is but prompt method of
expressing some strong impulse or impression. II he
stops for the lttlcncss of details the chances of
failure are immensely against him. The best work
of this kind can be done only by man whose com
mand of himself artistcally Is perfect; for 1t is
almost more by what he leaves out than 10y what
he puts in that he tells his story straight TO the
point. There il something in this type OF etching
that is akin to wit in its suddenness and dircctneSs
and an etching that has been fused over Will
probably he as valuable as Joke IN three chapters
We feel that every one who loves etching for its
real merits will thank Mr.. Hitchcock for the
strdghtfOrwa ard and get iudIcIous way IN which he
has pointed ont the tendency OF American ctcEeIs
TO make decorative or elaborate plates which are
after ALL but imperfect competitions With various
reproductive processes, and which are devoid OF
pnrpose beyond commercial ones The hest etching
will probably be always 'caviare TO the general
hut in the multitude who profess to "dote on
etching" are many who sincerely do care for
loyablc art and who are seeking to know more OF It,
TO such Mr. Hitchcock lends kindly helping
hand We hope that many of those WIN now tor
mcnt copper with amless scratches will take his
warnings TO heart and when they are next tempted
10 make an etching will consider whether they
really have any story to tcl and whether after all
they could not ctter tell it in some other way.
The little frontl,piece is of interest As the plate
etched at the first meeting of the New-lork Etching
Club. May 2. 1877.