Mary Magdalen standing on clouds, being transported to heaven by angels 1570 - 1615

This etching of Mary Magdalen being transported to heaven by angels, was made by Cherubino Alberti around the turn of the 17th century. It is a print, meaning that it could be produced multiple times, to meet demand. Prints like this involve a lot of labor, from the artist and workshop to the suppliers of paper, ink, and tools. Here, Alberti created the composition and then used a sharp tool, called a burin, to manually engrave lines into a copper plate. This plate would then be inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Notice the precise lines and shading that create a sense of depth and movement. The texture of the paper itself adds to the overall effect. The materiality and physical processes in the artwork influences its appearance through its weight, color and form, and this production method is a testament to the skilled traditions that belong to creative practices. It’s easy to overlook the labor and social context behind such images, but understanding the making helps us appreciate the full meaning of the artwork.