Portrait of Masaniello c. 17th century

This small print, Portrait of Masaniello, was made by Stefano della Bella in the 17th century. It's made using etching, a printmaking technique. The artist covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratches an image into it with a needle. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The plate is inked, the surface wiped clean, and then pressed onto paper, leaving an impression. This process allowed for multiple identical images to be made and distributed widely. Della Bella was an accomplished printmaker, celebrated for his skill in capturing details with efficiency. Here, you can see the linear precision used to describe Masaniello’s features. But it’s also interesting to consider what this kind of printmaking meant in terms of the politics of representation. The etched line is a way of controlling and disseminating an image, making it available to a mass audience. Ultimately, understanding the materials and processes used to create artwork allows us to consider the wider social context in which it was made, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.