Filippo Neri troost Gabriello Tana bij sterfbed 1630 - 1641

This print was made by Luca Ciamberlano, around the early 17th century, using a technique called etching. The fine lines we see are the result of a painstaking process. The artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratched away the ground with a needle to expose the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would bite away at the exposed areas, creating grooves. The deeper the bite, the darker the line would appear in the print. Look closely, and you can see how the varying depths of the lines create a sense of light and shadow, bringing the scene to life. The contrast between the dark, densely etched areas and the lighter, more open spaces gives the image depth and texture. Prints like this one were relatively affordable. Unlike paintings, prints could be reproduced in multiples, making art accessible to a wider audience. The labor involved in creating each print – from preparing the plate to running it through the press – reflects the democratization of art production that was emerging at the time.