Untitled, from the series Essences

Considered one of the leading American sculptors of the postwar years, Louise Nevelson is best known for her painted-black constructions made of wood. Nevelson also made prints, and created the series Essences when she was in her late seventies. To make these works, Nevelson placed layers of actual lace onto an etching plate prepared with a soft ground. The exposed areas left by the fabric impression were then etched in an acid bath to create the design. Nevelson compared the resulting airy aesthetic of these compositions to the lightness of breathing.