Domizio Calderino c. 16th century

Editor: So, this is an anonymous portrait of Domizio Calderino. It's an engraving, and I find the cross-hatching so precise! What can you tell me about this print? Curator: Well, let's consider the material reality of this image. The lines you observe were incised into a metal plate, likely copper, through skilled labor. Each mark denotes an investment of time and skill, reflecting the societal value placed on this poet. Editor: I see. So it's not just about Calderino, but the work involved in creating his image. Curator: Exactly. And consider how this image functions within a system of patronage and artistic production. What does it tell us about the economic realities of art-making at this time? Editor: That makes me think about how the circulation of prints like these shaped cultural ideas. Thanks!