Ezeldrijver met zijn kudde 1660

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli made this print, "Ezeldrijver met zijn kudde", using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. The fine lines you see are the result of drawing through a wax-covered metal plate, which is then bathed in acid, biting away the exposed lines. Ink is applied, and the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Here, the etcher's skill captures a man with his herd of donkeys, likely engaged in trade or transport. This print’s graphic quality speaks volumes about the social context of its creation. Etchings like this one made art more accessible, moving away from unique paintings to more widely distributed images. The print’s emphasis on labor and everyday life reflects broader shifts in society, where the depiction of common people became a subject of artistic interest. It challenges our understanding of art by depicting the life of a man and his donkeys at work. This artwork reminds us of the value of the work involved in production and distribution.