Five battling tritons, from "The Triton Group" 1655 - 1666

Salvator Rosa created this image of Five Battling Tritons using etching, a printmaking process dating back to the 16th century. Etching involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer, then scratching an image into that surface. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and producing the print. The stark contrast between the black lines and the white paper creates a dramatic visual effect. The etched lines vary in thickness and density, conveying texture and shading which bring the figures to life. The labor-intensive etching process results in a final product that’s easily reproducible. In Rosa’s time, prints like these were not just works of art, but commodities, spreading images and ideas across Europe. This print, with its dynamic composition and mythological subject matter, exemplifies the intersection of artistic skill, material process, and the burgeoning print market of the 17th century. By examining the materials and methods, we gain a deeper appreciation of the historical and cultural context in which it was created.