Bust of an Italian Woman 1875 - 1880

This print of an Italian woman is the work of Giuseppe de Nittis. He made it using etching, a printmaking technique that’s all about controlled accidents. An etcher covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant coating, then scratches an image into it. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating lines. These are then inked and printed. The beauty of etching lies in its capacity for detail. The depth of the lines affects the darkness of the print, and the etcher can create various tones by controlling the acid's action. Look closely, and you'll see the delicate rendering of the woman's features, achieved through subtle variations in line weight and density. It’s this kind of process, requiring skill and labor, that we often miss when considering art, but it’s critical. It reminds us that making is a form of knowledge. It allows the artist to convey meaning with the most economical means.