Margareta van Antiochië trotseert de draak 1642 - 1657

Bartolomeo Biscaino made this print, "Margareta van Antiochië trotseert de draak," sometime in the mid-17th century using etching. This process involves coating a metal plate with wax, then drawing through it with a sharp needle. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating an image that can be printed. Look closely, and you’ll see how the etched lines define the forms and create the tonal variations. Biscaino skillfully uses hatching and cross-hatching to suggest depth and shadow. It's a labor-intensive process, demanding careful control. Prints like this were luxury goods, circulated among collectors. The image shows Saint Margaret standing undaunted, holding a cross before a dragon. This print demonstrates the power of reproducible images to spread ideas far and wide. Biscaino’s beautiful lines invite us to think about the potent combination of skillful making, artistic expression, and social communication.