Woman Seated near a Vase 1514 - 1536

This print was made in the 16th century by Agostino Veneziano, using a process called engraving. This painstaking method involves incising an image onto a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The linear quality of the engraving gives a strong sense of form to the seated figure and the vase. Look closely, and you will notice how the artist used closely spaced lines to create areas of shadow, and wider spaces for highlights. The result has both clarity and depth. The vase, especially, has a tangible presence. Engraving like this required considerable skill, and a dedicated workshop. While we might think of this print as a "fine art" object today, it is important to remember that it emerged from a world of craft production. The making of prints was a commercial enterprise, and prints like this one were often made in multiples and sold to a wide audience. Considering the labor and context helps us appreciate the image’s cultural and historical significance.