Portret van Antonio Vinitti de Pereto, 28ste Minister Generaal van de franciscaner orde 1710 - 1738

Antonio Luciani made this print of Antonio Vinitti de Pereto, the 28th Minister General of the Franciscan Order, sometime between 1700 and 1738. Luciani worked with the technique of engraving to create this portrait. The incised lines into the metal plate allowed for incredibly fine detail. The overall visual impression depends on this intricacy; see how the texture of the friar’s habit is delicately rendered, and the density of line used to convey shading. Engraving is an exacting process, demanding considerable skill and patience. The graphic language it generates has a distinctly controlled, precise quality. The image here is carefully delineated and the lettering in the frame has sharp edges. Engraving like this had a social function, too. It was a means of disseminating images widely and relatively cheaply. So, although the technique involved skilled labor, the finished product was intended for circulation among a broad audience. This artwork blurs the boundaries of fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the social and economic contexts that shape artistic expression.