A sleeping warrior seated on a rock and leaning on his shield, from the series 'Figurine' 1651 - 1661

This print, made by Salvator Rosa, captures a soldier in repose, and was achieved through etching – a printmaking technique that democratized image production in the 17th century. Etching is an indirect process. The artist applies a waxy ground to a metal plate, then draws an image with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the drawn lines. Ink is applied to the plate, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see how the etched lines vary in thickness and depth, giving a sense of light and shadow to the figure. Through this process, Rosa was able to produce multiple impressions of the same image, making his work more accessible to a wider audience. It's a reminder that art-making is also a form of labor, with its own set of techniques, tools, and histories, and that understanding the process can deepen our appreciation of the final product.