Drie cartouches 1644 - 1718

This print of three cartouches was made by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli, using etching. This is an intaglio process, where a metal plate is coated in wax, the design is scratched into the wax, and then the plate is submerged in acid, which eats away at the exposed metal. The plate is then inked and printed. This technique allowed Mitelli to produce precise and detailed images. The lines are crisp, and the shading is subtle. The labor-intensive process reflects the value placed on craftsmanship during the early modern period. Etchings like this one were often made as templates, to be used by other craftsmen such as sculptors and furniture makers. The design encapsulates the Baroque style with its ornate details and dramatic flair. Mitelli’s print bridges the gap between art and craft. It highlights how skills were shared and knowledge was disseminated during this time, with prints serving as a crucial means of artistic and practical exchange.