Venus et Adonis c. 17th century

Stefano della Bella created "Venus et Adonis" using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive power of acid. The plate would first be coated with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground with a needle, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The longer the plate remains in the acid, the deeper the lines become, resulting in darker, more pronounced lines in the final print. To create a print, ink is applied to the plate, filling the etched lines. The surface is wiped clean, and the image is transferred to paper under high pressure. Note the contrast between the delicate lines used to render Venus's distress, and the more densely hatched areas that create shadow and depth. This finely-wrought work speaks to the skill and labor involved in the intaglio process. It's a good example of how even a relatively "mass produced" image like a print bears the distinct trace of the artist's hand, challenging the separation of art from craft.