Portret van medicus Giovanni Rasori 1798 - 1874

Michele Bisi created this portrait of medicus Giovanni Rasori using etching, a printmaking technique. The image is made by incising lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then pressing it onto paper. In this case, look closely, and you can see the fine network of lines that create the image. The density of the lines determines the tone, with darker areas having more lines and lighter areas having fewer. This suggests that the portrait was not simply a representation of Rasori, but also an opportunity for Bisi to demonstrate his technical skill. Etching was a popular method for creating reproductive prints, allowing images to be widely disseminated. The process could be laborious and time-consuming, but it also allowed for a high degree of detail and precision, meeting the increasing demand for accessible imagery at the time. Looking at this image, it's easy to overlook the labor involved in its creation, but by focusing on the material and the making, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the artistic skill involved.