Self-Portrait after 1815

This self-portrait was created by Bartolomeo Pinelli, using etching, a printmaking technique, sometime in the early 19th century. The process involves drawing an image into a coated metal plate with a sharp needle, then bathing the plate in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. Ink is then applied, and the plate is pressed onto paper. Look closely and you'll notice how the etched lines vary in thickness and depth, giving Pinelli's portrait a striking sense of volume and texture. The materiality of the etching directly influences the artwork's appearance, from its grainy texture to its tonal contrasts. Consider the amount of labor involved in creating the work. The skilled traditions required of printmaking, along with that of fine art, are apparent. Understanding Pinelli’s artistic process and the cultural context in which it was created, helps us appreciate the rich and multifaceted nature of art and material culture.