Montefiascone Possibly 1631 - 1717

This is Montefiascone, a print made by Israel Silvestre, most likely in the latter half of the 17th century. As a print, its creation involves a range of steps, each demanding skill and labor. First, the image would have been incised into a metal plate, probably copper, using tools like burins and etching needles. Then, ink would be applied to the plate, carefully wiped to leave ink only in the etched lines, and finally, paper would be pressed against the plate to transfer the image. The coloring, added later, might have been done through stencils, a technique called pochoir, adding another layer of handwork. Think about the division of labor inherent in this process – the artisan who prepared the plate, the one who inked it, the one who ran the press, and the one who added color. Each played a vital role in producing this image, a picturesque view, that could be reproduced and distributed widely. This speaks to the burgeoning print culture of the time, and its connection to wider systems of labor, production, and consumption. It challenges us to consider the value of skilled work, and its place in the world of art.