The Holy Family with Saint Philip Neri in Adoration, an Angel, and Putti 1649

Giacinto Gimignani created this print, *The Holy Family with Saint Philip Neri in Adoration*, using etching, a process that democratized image-making in its day. Here, the artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. He then used a needle to scratch away the ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This process allowed Gimignani to create intricate lines and details, seen clearly in the delicate shading of the figures and the flowing drapery. Etching allowed for the reproduction of images on a mass scale, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Each print involves significant labor, from preparing the plate to the final printing. By understanding the material processes involved, we can appreciate how Gimignani's work straddles both fine art and the culture of reproduction.