[Illustration for poem The Faithful One" by David Ignatow]"

Share

Made in 1960, this etching was created to accompany "The Faithful One," a poem by David Ignatow, one of the postwar American poets known for plain diction and close attention to ordinary life. Pairing a single image with a poem was a common practice among mid-century writers and printmakers, who often collaborated on small illustrated editions and magazine features. Etching suited that work: its fine, controlled line could suggest mood and detail without competing with the text. The record does not name the artist, so the picture's exact relationship to the poem's wording is best approached through the poem itself.

More from the Historic Print Archive collection

Snapshots of the Past helps heritage brands, museums, historians and storytellers tell stories with history: historic prints, image licensing and historical storytelling drawn from more than 25 years of research and curation.