Maria met het Christuskind en een engel 17th century

This print of the Virgin and Child with Angel was made by Giacomo Antonio Stefanoni using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production in its day. The method involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into the wax, and then immersing the plate in acid, which bites away at the exposed metal. The plate is then inked and printed, leaving an impression on paper. This process allowed artists to produce multiple copies of their work, making art more accessible and affordable, reflecting a shift toward broader consumption of images. The fine lines and delicate shading achieved through etching give the print a sense of intimacy, while the reproductive nature of the medium speaks to the increasing commercialization of art in Stefanoni’s time. The print can be seen as a commodity, a product of skilled labor intended for circulation and consumption within a growing art market. Ultimately, understanding the materials and making of this print reveals its place within a changing social and economic landscape, challenging any divide between art and craft.