God verschijnt aan Mozes in een rookkolom 1615

This print, depicting God appearing to Moses in a pillar of smoke, was made by Orazio Borgianni. The exact date isn't known, but we do know that Borgianni worked in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It's made using etching, a printmaking process that relies on the corrosive properties of acid. Looking closely, you can see a network of fine lines. The artist would have covered a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratched through it with a needle to expose the metal. When the plate was immersed in acid, these lines would be bitten into the surface. The resulting image has a unique quality. Unlike engravings, which are cut directly into the metal with a tool called a burin, etchings have a looser, more spontaneous feel. The technique allowed Borgianni to create intricate details, and convey the scene's dramatic impact. It suggests a world of labor and craft that is easy to overlook, yet essential to the image's meaning and enduring appeal.