Portret van Giovanni Battista della Porta 1765 - 1829

This portrait of Giovanni Battista della Porta was made by Pietro Becceni, and its fine lines and tonal gradations are the result of the printmaking technique of engraving. Here, a design is incised onto a metal plate, typically copper, and then ink is applied into these grooves. The plate is then pressed against paper, transferring the image. The quality of an engraving hinges on the engraver’s skill: they must have the dexterity to create lines of varying thickness and depth. See how Becceni uses dense, closely spaced lines to create darker areas, and finer lines to create lighter tones, giving form and volume to della Porta’s face and clothing. Printmaking like this one allowed images to be reproduced and distributed widely, catering to a growing demand for portraits and illustrations in the 18th and 19th centuries, and feeding into the burgeoning print culture of the time. Ultimately, understanding the process by which this portrait was made gives us a richer appreciation of its cultural significance. It highlights the fusion of artistry, craft, and technology that defined the world of printmaking.