Shepherd with Walking Stick and a Peasant Woman with Child 1758 - 1759

Francesco Londonio created this print, "Shepherd with Walking Stick and a Peasant Woman with Child," using etching and engraving techniques. These processes involve meticulously incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. Look closely, and you’ll see the density of lines that build up the figures, creating the sense of light and shadow. Londonio’s mastery of this process is evident in the textures he achieves - from the rough cloak of the shepherd to the soft fabric cradling the child. This wasn’t just about technical skill, though. Printmaking in the 18th century was closely tied to social and economic factors. It allowed for the wider distribution of images, democratizing art to a degree, and also providing a livelihood for artists like Londonio. The amount of labor that went into each impression is a testament to the value placed on skilled craftsmanship, even as industrialization was on the horizon. Ultimately, Londonio’s print reminds us that art is not just about what is depicted, but how it is made, and how those processes connect to the world around us.