The Vision of St. Helena 1480 - 1534

Marcantonio Raimondi made this print of 'The Vision of St. Helena' in the early 16th century. He used a metal plate, likely copper, and a sharp tool called a burin to engrave lines into its surface. Look closely, and you can see how the density and direction of these lines create the image, defining forms and suggesting light and shadow. This was a laborious process, demanding immense skill and precision. Raimondi was among the first to reproduce paintings by the masters, and the print medium allowed for a wider distribution of artwork. The making of prints like this one was tied to the rise of a market for art. They democratized images, but also turned artistic invention into a commodity. This print thus encapsulates a pivotal moment in the history of art, when handcraft met the early forces of mass production and consumption. Appreciating the work involved, gives us a deeper understanding of its cultural value.