The Virgin and Child with the Infant St. John c. 17th century

Bernardo Strozzi created this print, The Virgin and Child with the Infant St. John, using etching, a printmaking process where a metal plate is coated with wax, and an image is scratched into it. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating lines that hold ink. Look closely, and you can see how the crisp, precise lines create a range of textures, from the soft folds of Mary's robe to the delicate skin of the infants. Etching, as a process, gained traction because it allowed for a relatively quick reproduction of images. The proliferation of prints had a democratizing effect, bringing art to a wider audience. Here, Strozzi uses this process to share a tender religious scene, reflecting the era’s devotion and also the growing accessibility of art. Appreciating the work involves understanding both the image and the means of its production, blurring boundaries between art, craft, and cultural dissemination.