Falaris 1731 - 1771

This print, ‘Falaris’ was made by Balthasar Sigmund Setletzky. The copperplate engraving process requires immense skill and precision. The artist would have used specialized tools to carve lines into a copper plate. The very act of engraving reflects themes of labor and consequence present in the artwork's narrative. Each line meticulously etched into the copper mirrors the effort and artistry involved in creation. The composition is complex, with many figures intricately detailed. The process gives depth and texture to the scene, almost as if the scene is unfolding before us. The burning bull recalls the legend of the brazen bull, a torture device. Setletzky skillfully captures the cruelty and irony of the tale. The laborious engraving process underscores the moral weight of the narrative, compelling us to consider the interplay between creation, destruction, and accountability.