Hornet's Nest
1956
Image not available — this artwork is under copyright
View on museum website →Medium
engraving
Dimensions
block: 303 x 403 mm sheet: 413 x 482 mm
Classification
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams
Accession Number
2008.115.1468
Art Historical Context
**Hornet's Nest** (1956) is a striking engraving by American artist Arthur Deshaies, showcasing the meticulous craft of mid-20th-century printmaking. Created on a substantial block measuring 303 x 403 mm (with the sheet at 413 x 482 mm), this print exemplifies the precision required in engraving, where a burin tool carves fine lines directly into a metal plate. Ink is then applied to the incised grooves and transferred to paper under high pressure, allowing for rich tonal contrasts and intricate details that invite close inspection. Deshaies, active in the post-World War II era, contributed t...