Christus verschijnt aan Petrus bij de poort van Rome 1569

This print, Christus Appears to Peter at the Gate of Rome, was made by Giovanni Battista Cavalieri around the late 16th century, using the intaglio technique of engraving. Engraving is a meticulous process. The artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, usually copper. These incised lines then hold ink, and when the plate is pressed against paper, the image transfers. The crisp, precise lines that define the figures of Christ and Peter, and architectural setting, are a testament to Cavalieri’s skill. Prints like this were essential for disseminating images widely and relatively cheaply at the time. Consider the labor involved: the artist’s focused hand, the printer’s careful application of ink, all contributing to a small piece of paper intended for mass consumption. This brings up a question of value. Is it fine art, craft, or something in between? Ultimately, it’s the rich combination of materials, making, and social context that imbues the work with meaning.