Equestrian Statue of Constantine the Great 1690

This engraving of the Equestrian Statue of Constantine the Great was made by Francesco Faraone Aquila in the early 18th century, using metal plates to create the image. It is a reproduction of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s marble sculpture. Look closely and you'll see that the quality of the engraved line is crucial. Its fineness gives a sense of the marble’s texture, while the hatching and cross-hatching create depth and shadow. This printmaking method allows for the wide distribution of images, democratizing access to grand artworks like Bernini's sculpture. Consider the labor involved: the skilled hand of the engraver, translating the three-dimensional form into a two-dimensional image. The choice of this medium speaks to a shift in how art was consumed and disseminated, moving away from unique, hand-crafted objects towards reproducible images available to a broader audience. Paying attention to the materials and processes opens up a deeper understanding of the artwork, underscoring the connections between art, craft, and social change.