Two Horse Heads 1644 - 1654

Stefano della Bella made this print of two horse heads in the 17th century, using etching, a printmaking technique. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, scratching an image into it, and then bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating lines that hold ink. The plate is then cleaned, inked, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The linear quality of this print is very much a product of the etching process; the acid biting into the plate creates these fine and precise lines. You can see their varying thickness, the way they define form, and the details of the horse's features. The making of prints like this one was a crucial development in the history of labor and production. It allowed for the mass production of images, which would otherwise need to be painted by hand. It democratized image-making, distributing creative work to a wider audience, not just those who could afford unique paintings. So next time you see a print, remember the hidden labor in its making, and its impact on the art world.