Heilige Bartolomeüs 1605

This engraving of Saint Bartholomew was made in 1605 by Raffaello Schiaminossi. Its fine lines were etched into a copper plate, using acid to deepen the marks before it was inked and printed. Consider the labor involved, the physical effort to create this image. Schiaminossi would have used a specialized set of tools to create the image - burins and gravers to incise lines directly into the copperplate, as well as the mordant to eat away the metal. This was a highly skilled practice that took years to learn. These linear marks create a palpable sense of volume and texture. They reveal the saint's inner character through the precise control of line, defining the folds of his robes and the planes of his face. As a print, this image could be widely disseminated, contributing to the cultural and religious landscape of the time. The availability of prints like this democratized art, making it accessible beyond the wealthy elite. The close attention to materials, techniques, and cultural context allows us to fully appreciate the print’s artistic merit and historical value.