Acanthusranken met rolwerkmotieven en vruchten 1611

This is a print of acanthus scrolls with role-work motifs and fruits, made by Cesare Domenichi. It’s an etching, meaning that Domenichi would have covered a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratched the design into it with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. The etched plate could then be inked and printed. Note the incredible detail achieved with this method. Domenichi has masterfully represented the texture and form of the acanthus leaves and fruits through subtle gradations of tone, achieved by varying the density and depth of the etched lines. Prints like these circulated widely, and served as models for other makers: woodcarvers, cabinetmakers, and other artisans who needed a source for ornamental motifs. This print, therefore, can be understood in relation to a whole world of making—not just the refined world of the graphic arts.