Badia Di San Fruttuoso 1892

Giuseppe Barberis, circa the late 19th century, created this engraving titled Badia Di San Fruttuoso. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking technique, where the artist meticulously carves lines into a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, using a tool called a burin. The incised lines hold ink, and when pressed onto paper, they create a raised image. The precision of engraving lends itself to highly detailed representations. Look closely, and you’ll see how Barberis has captured the play of light on the water, the texture of the stone, and the architectural details of the Badia. It is a labor-intensive practice that requires years to master. In a way, the act of engraving itself mirrors the enduring nature of the Badia. Both are products of careful, considered work, standing the test of time. The social context is important here too: engravings like this were often used for reproduction and dissemination of images, enabling a wider audience to experience places they might never visit in person. This was the mass media of its day.