Altare Della Madonna Di Montevergine 1898

Giuseppe Barberis rendered this engraving of the Altare Della Madonna Di Montevergine using lines to convey texture, form, light, and shadow. The engraving process involved meticulous labor to create the altar’s intricate details. The texture and visual weight of the dense lines give it a solemn appearance. The tools and techniques used to produce this print belong to a tradition of visual communication, but also commercial reproduction. Engravings like this one allowed for the widespread distribution of religious imagery, and the material culture of faith. The original altar would have involved a high degree of craftmanship. Barberis does a commendable job of capturing the form and aesthetic of the original in a reproduced version. By focusing on the materials, the making process, and the wider context of dissemination, we understand the full meaning of this artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.