Johann Matthias, Count von Schulenburg. n.d.

Giovanni Marco Pitteri made this print of Johann Matthias, Count von Schulenburg, using etching and engraving, techniques that demand both precision and artistry. The process begins with a metal plate, likely copper. The artist would have used a sharp needle to draw the Count’s likeness, and then immersed the plate in acid, biting away the exposed lines. This creates the etched lines that hold the ink. For the engraved areas, Pitteri used a burin to directly cut lines into the plate, allowing for finer detail and control. Look closely, and you can see the combination of delicate etched lines and deeper engraved marks which give texture to the Count’s elaborate wig and opulent clothing. This combination is also present in the background, where layers of fine lines create depth and atmosphere. The printmaking process, with its reliance on skilled labor and mechanical reproduction, democratized art, making images accessible to a wider audience. By appreciating the labor involved in its making, we recognize printmaking as both a craft and a crucial medium for disseminating ideas and images.