Print from Drawing Book c. 1610 - 1620

This print of a drawing book was created by Luca Ciamberlano sometime before his death in 1641. Its fine lines and delicate shading were achieved using an etching process, in which a metal plate is coated with wax, the design is scratched into the wax, and then acid is applied to bite the exposed metal. The image shows a model's head. Ciamberlano has paid meticulous attention to the contrast between the dark lines which define her features, and the pale paper. Look closely at the rendering of the hair. See how it's both solid and full of light. The density of etched lines gives the effect of a dark mass, while the untouched paper creates highlights. This technique captures the texture and volume of the subject's coiffure, giving the portrait depth. Prints like this one represent a moment when art moved from being a unique, handmade creation to a reproducible image. While the etching process still required skill, it allowed for wider distribution, influencing taste and creating a market for art. When we appreciate the craft embedded in the making, we can consider these prints as part of a continuum of design and visual culture.