Li Tre Trattai 1639

This engraving, called Li Tre Trattai, was made by Mattia Giegher, and reproduced through printmaking—a process that democratized image production. Look closely, and you’ll notice that each animal is covered in a zig-zagging pattern. That is the key to understanding this print. These lines represent the folds of paper. Giegher wasn’t simply interested in depicting animals; his goal was to instruct the viewer in the art of paper folding. These aren’t just decorative objects, but models for the reader to recreate at home, a form of entertainment but also instruction. The animals appear to be covered with textiles, the artist cleverly playing with the relationship between material and form. By understanding its means of production, and its instructional aims, we can see this engraving as more than just an image, but as a portal into the world of early modern craft and design.