Three Warriors, one seated on a foreground rock holding a staff; the secnd standing behind him and pointing, the third seen as a face behind them, from Figurine series n.d.

Salvator Rosa made this print, "Three Warriors," using etching, a process of working lines into a metal plate with acid. It's a relatively indirect method, allowing for loose, gestural marks. Look closely and you'll see that the image is composed of a dense network of these lines, which create form and shadow. The material qualities of the print – its black lines on a white ground, its small scale, and its reproducible nature – all speak to its purpose. Prints like this circulated widely in Rosa's time, allowing artists to disseminate their ideas and gain recognition. Consider, too, the social context: printmaking was a business, a way for artists to generate income and reach a broad audience. Rosa was acutely aware of the market for his work, and he tailored his imagery to appeal to collectors' tastes. This etching, with its dramatic composition and romantic subject matter, is a prime example of his commercial savvy. It reminds us that even the most seemingly personal artistic expressions are often shaped by the forces of economics and the demands of the art world.