Mestolino, Cap. Grillo en Guastetto 1668 - 1707

Anthonie de Winter made this print, titled "Mestolino, Cap. Grillo en Guastetto," using etching. The way the image is produced significantly influences its appearance. The incised lines create a sense of depth and form, using hatching and cross-hatching to suggest shading and volume. The etching technique involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drawing through this coating to expose the metal. Acid is then applied, biting into the exposed lines. The plate is then inked, and the ink wiped from the surface, remaining only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. This process, and its reliance on skilled labor, can be tied to wider social issues of labor and class, as the production of prints like this was often a collaborative effort involving artisans and workshops. Considering materials, making, and context is vital to understanding the full meaning of an artwork like this, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.