Apollo vilt Marsyas 1620 - 1670

Giovanni Andrea Sirani made this print, Apollo vilt Marsyas, using etching, a technique rooted in the material properties of metal and acid. The design is first drawn into a waxy, acid-resistant ground applied to a metal plate. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Sirani would have carefully controlled the depth of these lines to vary the darkness of the printed image. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. The quality of the paper, its absorbency and texture, also plays a crucial role in the final appearance, influencing the clarity and depth of the image. The etcher’s skill lies in understanding these material interactions, and his work asks us to see that "fine art" is actually reliant on craft.