Laatste Avondmaal 1615

Orazio Borgianni made this etching of The Last Supper, its date unknown, using a technique dependent on mass production. An image is incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper; this enables the wide distribution of imagery. The resulting artwork has a distinctive graphic quality – a network of fine lines creating tone and texture. Notice how the labor-intensive process is reflected in the details, like the cross-hatching that builds up shadows and defines the figures’ drapery. The composition itself is carefully constructed to lead the eye around the table, lingering on the expressive faces of Christ and his disciples. The etching process was crucial for disseminating ideas and images during this period. This reflects a shift in artistic production, where reproducibility and accessibility became increasingly important. By understanding the methods and materials used, we recognize how this print participates in broader cultural and economic systems, blurring the lines between fine art and the graphic arts.