Second Sails [11] from Second Sails

About this artwork

Dan Flavin, a pioneering minimalist artist best known for his immersive installations of fluorescent light tubes, ventured into printmaking with *Second Sails [11]*, created in 1978 as part of a portfolio of eight hardground etchings. This work on wove Arches paper—measuring just 10. x 15.2 cm for the image—capturesavin's signature precision and economy of form, translating his sculptural interest in light, space, and geometry into two dimensions. Hardground etching, a meticulous intaglio technique, involves coating a metal plate with a protective ground, scratching designs through it, and etching with acid to create crisp, delicate lines. Flavin's adoption of this method late in his career highlights his experimental spirit, bridging his light-based sculptures with the tactile world of print. Produced likely in collaboration with master printer Kathan Brown—whose generous gift brought it to the National Gallery of Art—this piece exemplifies 1970s printmaking's role in democratizing avant-garde art. As part of the *Second Sails* portfolio (Department CG-W), it invites viewers to ponder Flavin's nautical titles amid his abstract rigor, evoking vast horizons through subtle marks. A gem for print enthusiasts, it reveals how even light's master could illuminate paper with enduring elegance.