Johannes de Evangelist 1567

Paolo Farinati made this depiction of John the Evangelist in the 16th century, using etching techniques. Farinati’s print relies on a metal plate, likely copper, to which he applied an acid-resistant ground. By drawing into the ground with a needle, he exposed the metal and created lines that would hold ink. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. This process demanded careful control to achieve varying depths and widths, resulting in a range of tonal effects. The linear quality of the etching brings a graphic immediacy to the image. Notice how the artist manipulates the thickness and density of the lines to give form to John’s figure, his drapery, and the symbolic eagle. The etcher's skill is evident in the fine details and the overall composition, achieved through a deeply skilled and laborious process. Understanding the labor and skill invested in creating this etching allows us to consider it not only as a work of art, but as a testament to human ingenuity.