Profeet met twee engelen bij een globe 1591 - 1647

Sisto Badalocchio created this etching, "Prophet with Two Angels by a Globe," sometime in the early 17th century. The etching process itself is fascinating. A metal plate, likely copper, is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches an image into this coating with a needle, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the image. Notice how the varying depths and densities of the etched lines create a sense of light and shadow, lending the figures their volume and drama. Badalocchio masterfully uses this technique to give life to the prophet and angels, even capturing the texture of their drapery. The printmaking medium allowed for the wider dissemination of images during this period. The artist here becomes both a skilled technician and a conduit for spreading ideas – a testament to the intertwined nature of art, craft, and communication.