Self-Portrait 

This Self-Portrait was created by Ottavio Leoni using etching, a printmaking process that requires considerable skill. Here, Leoni uses etching to create a mesmerizing tonal range and a wide variety of intricate, deliberate marks. First, the artist would have applied a waxy, acid-resistant ground to a metal plate, before drawing his design. Then the plate was submerged into an acid bath, where the exposed lines were eaten away. This process highlights a blend of craft and artistic intention. The dense web of fine lines creates depth and volume, particularly evident in the delicate rendering of the face and hair. The bold lines defining the sitter’s garment, by contrast, suggest a different kind of texture. This variation underscores the artist’s mastery and careful planning. Ultimately, this print reminds us that every artwork is the result of complex interactions between material, method, and the artist’s vision, challenging any divide between ‘fine’ and ‘applied’ art.