Plate 25: a shipwreck 1756

This print, "Plate 25: a shipwreck," was made by Bartolomeo Crivellari in the 1700s, using etching and engraving. These processes involve working an image into a metal plate, inking it, and then transferring that image to paper. Notice the incredible detail achieved through these methods. Crivellari has created a dramatic scene of chaos and divine retribution. But it's not just the image itself that matters; it's also the labor involved. Each line, each shadow, is the result of careful, skilled work. The engraver's hand is evident in the precision and control of the lines, creating a complex composition with a full range of tonal values. Prints like this were luxury goods, bought and sold in a growing market for images. They represent a convergence of artistic skill, commercial enterprise, and wider social issues of labor and consumption. By understanding the materials and processes behind this print, we can appreciate not only its aesthetic qualities but also its place in the social and economic landscape of its time.