The angel awakening Joseph to the presence of the Virgin and Child 1640 - 1654

This print, depicting the angel awakening Joseph, was made by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione in the 17th century. Castiglione used etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production through the power of repeatable marks. To create this print, the artist would have applied a waxy ground to a metal plate, scratched an image into it, and then bathed the plate in acid. This process bites away the exposed lines, leaving an incised image that can then be inked and printed. Notice how the density of lines creates deep shadows and a dynamic composition? Prints like this one reflect early modern Europe's burgeoning print culture. The etching process allowed for the relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images, fostering a wider distribution of art and ideas. The labor-intensive nature of printmaking, however, also highlights the complex relationship between art, production, and accessibility in this period. So when you look at this image, think not only about the scene it depicts, but also about the material processes and social context that made it possible.