Heilige Cecilia 1782

Heinrich Sintzenich created this delicate print of Saint Cecilia sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. It’s made using the “Sanguine” manner, a printing technique that mimics the effect of red chalk drawings. The process involves engraving a copper plate and then printing it in a reddish-brown ink, resulting in a warm, textured image that is so beautiful here. Notice how the fine lines create subtle shading, giving depth to Cecilia’s figure and drapery. The choice of this particular printing method is significant. It evokes the immediacy and intimacy of drawing, and gives you the impression of looking at a sketch rather than a mass-produced print. In an era when printmaking was becoming increasingly industrialized, this deliberate nod to handcraft reminds us of the value placed on artistic skill and individual expression. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional techniques in a rapidly changing world.