Female figure (Saint Catherine?) kneeling on the ground at center pleading to a male figure (Maximus?) who wears a crown and is seated on a throne at right; at left a figure with raised sword about to strike the woman; a group of figures looking on in the background 1517

This print, depicting Saint Catherine in front of a tyrannical king, was made around 1517 by Domenico Campagnola. It’s made using the etching process, a close relative of engraving. To make an etching like this, the artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Using a sharp needle, he scratches an image into the ground, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This process is repeated to deepen the lines. The ground is removed, ink is applied to the plate and then wiped off, remaining only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. Etching allowed artists to achieve a wide range of tonal effects and fine details. Compared to engraving, which requires considerable physical strength to cut lines directly into the metal, etching offers a more fluid and spontaneous approach. This print demonstrates this beautifully, with its rich textures and dramatic composition. Looking at the artwork through the lens of material and process invites us to appreciate not only the final image, but also the skilled labor and technical ingenuity that brought it into being.