Bianca Cappello en Pietro Bonaventuri op de vlucht uit Venetië 1776

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made this etching on paper depicting Bianca Cappello and Pietro Bonaventuri fleeing Venice. Etching involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The fine lines and delicate shading are characteristic of this printmaking process. Consider the labour involved in creating such a detailed image, and the way it speaks to social hierarchies. The clothing, poses and setting all reference the wealth and status of the eloping couple, while the etching technique itself was part of a broader printmaking industry that served a growing consumer culture. Prints like these allowed stories and images to circulate more widely, shaping public opinion and tastes. The social context and making of the artwork, reflect the economic and cultural forces at play in 18th-century Europe. By examining the materials, making, and context, we gain a fuller understanding of the artwork's meaning, challenging the traditional separation of craft and fine art.