Title page, from "The Seven Sacrements" 1767

This title page, from "The Seven Sacraments," was etched by Lorenzo Zucchi in the 18th century, using the traditional printmaking process of engraving. The artist incised lines into a copper plate, which would then be inked and pressed onto paper. The resulting image is a study in contrasts, typical of the Baroque era. Notice the contrast between the sharp lines of the architecture and the soft, billowing clouds. The texture achieved by the engraving technique gives depth to the scene, from the smooth surfaces of the urn and monument, to the rough edges of the broken column, and drapery. Consider too the labor involved in creating such a detailed image. Each line was carefully etched by hand, requiring skill, precision, and patience. In its time, printmaking was at the intersection of craft and industry, where the hand of the artisan met the demands of a growing market for images. The very material of this work – the etched metal, the inked paper – speaks to a society in transition.