Diogenes en Alexander de Grote c. 1700 - 1725

Ludovico Cavazza made this print, "Diogenes en Alexander de Grote," using the intaglio technique. In this process, the image is incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with fine tools like burins or through acid etching. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, it’s pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The fineness of the lines achieved through the intaglio method allowed for a high level of detail in the depiction of the figures and the background. The contrast between the lines and the blank paper creates tone and depth. But let’s not forget the labor involved; each line represents a deliberate act of mark-making. The density of the lines and the precision with which they are executed speak to Cavazza's skill and the time invested in creating the plate. This print is not just a reproduction but a translation, and the very act of its making is deeply intertwined with the possibilities of dissemination and exchange that the medium affords.