Saint Matthew holding a staff and a book, turning to the left 1535 - 1545

Andrea Schiavone made this print of Saint Matthew sometime in the mid-16th century using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. It allowed artists to create multiple original images, at a time when paintings were the unique preserve of the wealthy. To make this print, Schiavone would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Using a sharp needle, he scratched away the ground to expose the metal, and then the plate was submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This process determined the dark lines of the image. Look closely, and you can see the character of the etched line—somewhat unpredictable, with a granular quality. This texture is quite different from that achieved by engraving, where lines are incised directly into the metal with a tool called a burin. Etching allowed for a more immediate, spontaneous kind of image-making, and its rise is associated with the print boom of the Renaissance. This print demonstrates how technical innovation can play a crucial role in the development and dissemination of new artistic styles.