Tobias and the Angel 1575

Cherubino Alberti created this print, "Tobias and the Angel," using engraving, a process demanding skill and precision. Engraving begins with a metal plate, traditionally copper. The artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into the plate's surface. The depth and thickness of these lines determine the amount of ink they hold, and thus the darkness of the printed line. The engraver must apply considerable force, and control the burin with absolute accuracy. After the engraving is complete, the plate is inked, and then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Paper is then pressed against the plate, transferring the ink to create the final print. This meticulous, labor-intensive method contrasts sharply with the mass-produced images of today. The level of skill required elevates printmaking from a mere reproductive technique to a highly valued art form. It shows the cultural importance of the proliferation and distribution of images, and the labor that underpinned the production of reproducible art.