Dering Regrade

Art Historical Context

Kenneth Callahan's *Dering Regrade* (1927) is an early etching that captures the artist's emerging talent at age 22. Measuring a compact 125 x 175 mm on the plate and 161 196 mm on the, this intimate print exemplifies the precision of intaglio printmaking. Callahan, who would later become a key figure in the School alongside artists like Mark Tobey and Morris Graves, began his career in Seattle exploring prints before transitioning to his signature mystical paintings. Etching's technique—drawing on a wax-grounded metal plate, immersing it in acid to bite lines, and printing under pressure—lends the work rich tonal contrasts and fine detail, ideal for conveying texture and depth in small formats. Produced in the late 1920s amid America's urban expansion, the title hints at themes of transformation, possibly referencing land regrading projects common in the Pacific Northwest, where Callahan lived and worked. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Reba and Dave Williams Collection (gift of Reba and Dave Williams), this print offers a window into Callahan's formative years. Lean in close to savor its subtle artistry—a testament to the enduring appeal of early 20th-century American printmaking.