Raffaello Menicucci c. 17th century

Curator: This is Claude Mellan's portrait of Raffaello Menicucci. What strikes me immediately is its peculiar graphic quality. Editor: It's like a topographical map, every line etching a story onto his face, a very literal kind of portraiture. Curator: Mellan was known for his virtuoso engraving technique, using a single line that varies in thickness to create light and shadow. He transformed the status of engravings and their production in the 17th Century. Editor: He's rendered this man with such careful and meticulous detail...it almost feels clinical. Curator: Mellan really pushes the boundaries of the engraving medium. And this work represents a growing interest in the individual and in the potential of the medium. Editor: Well, it's certainly a masterclass in technique, but I think its emotional impact is more muted than some other pieces we’ve seen. Curator: Perhaps it is the meticulous execution that diminishes the feeling. Editor: Maybe so! Anyway, it's been another enlightening experience for me, discovering new perspectives. Curator: Indeed, and it is interesting to note how Mellan pushed boundaries to elevate a medium and to create his own vision of the world.