Skip to main contentProvenanceThe artist
Emiliano (the printer) and Barbara Sorini, New Jersey
Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago, Illinois, 2004
Raphael Soyer
(American (born Russia), 1899–1987)
Plate for Self-Portrait
1974
copper plate
Overall: 9 x 4 5/8 in. (22.9 x 11.7 cm)
Credit LineTerra Foundation for American Art, Gift in memory of Emiliano Sorini, printmaker
Object number2004.3.1
InterpretationOn the surface of this copper plate Raphael Soyer created the original image for his etching Self Portrait, which he printed in two states (TF 2004.4, TF 2004.7). The artist drew a series of lines on the plate that, with the aid of acid, were incised on the metal surface. Due to the nature of the printing process, the printed impressions reverse the image on the plate. While the copper surface is somewhat murky and hard to read, the evident clusters of lines, when inked, translate into a touching representation of the elderly artist's face.
Etching plates such as this are relative rarities, for many artists limit the number of impressions they print by defacing or destroying their plates after printing. However, such objects can yield valuable insights into an artist's working methods when compared with various states of the resulting etching.
Etching plates such as this are relative rarities, for many artists limit the number of impressions they print by defacing or destroying their plates after printing. However, such objects can yield valuable insights into an artist's working methods when compared with various states of the resulting etching.
Emiliano (the printer) and Barbara Sorini, New Jersey
Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago, Illinois, 2004