Three Muses and a Putto with a Lyre 1560s

Giorgio Ghisi created this print, "Three Muses and a Putto with a Lyre," using the technique of engraving. This meant he had to use a tool called a burin to manually cut lines into a copper plate. The depth and density of these etched lines create the image you see; they hold the ink, which is then transferred to the paper under immense pressure in a printing press. Ghisi would have needed immense skill to create this image, including not just artistic ability, but also expertise in metallurgy. Consider the level of control required to achieve the subtle gradations of light and shadow. The whole process demanded patience, precision, and a deep understanding of materials, aligning it with the values of craft traditions. While prints like this were made in multiples, to spread artistic ideas, the labor involved reminds us of the intimate connection between art and the means of its production.