Vlucht naar Egypte 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella, likely in the mid-17th century, made this print, Vlucht naar Egypte, using etching. This is an early form of printmaking that uses acid to cut into a metal plate, allowing for finely detailed images like this. The material on which the image is printed, likely paper, has a smoothness and absorbency that takes the ink well, capturing the intricate lines. Look closely, and you'll see how the etched lines create depth and shadow, giving a sense of volume to the figures. The halos and celestial figures have a radiant, almost ethereal quality, made possible by the etcher’s skillful manipulation of line and tone. Think about the labour involved in this print’s creation. The artist had to possess a keen understanding of metallurgy and chemistry, and a sensitivity of hand to guide the etching needle. The image could then be reproduced, and distributed widely. By understanding the materials and processes, we gain insight into the artistic intentions and the cultural context in which it was made.