Gang rond een binnenplaats 1771 - 1781

This courtyard scene was created by Vincenzo Mazzi, sometime in the 18th century, using etching. The material reality of this print is essential to understanding it. Think about the labor involved: the patient rendering of line after line into the metal plate, which has then been submerged in acid, and finally used to print this image. The overall effect is a play of light and shadow, achieved with an extraordinary degree of graphic subtlety. Mazzi has achieved a sense of almost photographic realism, despite working entirely through the medium of line. The very fact that this image can be reproduced is also significant. This wasn't a painting destined for a single collector, but an image made available to a wider public through printmaking. Looking at this etching, we are invited to think not only about the depicted scene, but also about the many processes and materials that have been brought together to give it form. The way the artist uses the etching tools to create a sense of depth, texture, and atmosphere are a testament to the skill and artistry. It is the knowledge and mastery of the etching process that brings this courtyard to life.