Diana holding a spear with a stag at right and holding a bear on a leash 1580 - 1700

This engraving of Diana, made by Cherubino Alberti around the turn of the 17th century, is realized on paper using a printmaking technique. The fineness of the lines speaks to the skillful application of the artist. An engraver uses a tool called a burin to manually carve an image into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The depth and spacing of the lines determine the tonal range of the final print. This process demanded both artistic vision and technical mastery, acquired through years of apprenticeship. Printmaking allowed for the relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images. This had a democratizing effect, making art more accessible to a wider audience. It also highlights the complex relationship between artistic labor, production, and consumption in early modern Europe. The image of Diana, goddess of the hunt, becomes a commodity, circulating within a burgeoning capitalist economy. Understanding Alberti's printmaking process allows us to consider how the hand-made informs its meaning.