The Marriage of the Virgin 1520 - 1530

This print, The Marriage of the Virgin, was made by Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio, sometime in the 16th century, using a technique called engraving. This process involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The linear quality of the work comes directly from this method, as does its incredible detail. Look closely, and you'll see how Caraglio used the burin to create a wide range of textures, from the smooth surfaces of the columns to the intricate folds of the clothing. Engraving was a highly skilled craft, demanding both technical expertise and artistic vision. But it was also fundamentally reproductive. Prints like this allowed images to circulate widely, making art accessible to a broader audience than ever before. In this way, engraving existed in a fascinating tension between handcraft and mass production, artistry and commerce. Paying attention to material and making allows us to consider the social and economic context in which art is produced and consumed. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between art and craft, and highlights the crucial role that skilled artisans played in shaping visual culture.