Foltering met scherpe punten en wielen 1565 - 1630

This print, made by Antonio Tempesta around the turn of the 17th century, depicts a gruesome scene of torture. Its power lies not just in the composition, but in the printmaking technique itself: etching. Tempesta would have coated a metal plate with wax, then used a sharp needle to draw this design, exposing the metal underneath. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the lines, creating grooves. Ink was applied, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, paper was pressed against the plate, transferring the image. This process mirrors the mechanics of torture: the deliberate application of pressure and pain to extract a result. The stark contrast of light and shadow, achieved through the precise control of line and tone, underscores the harsh reality of the scene. The act of reproduction inherent in printmaking also speaks to the public spectacle of punishment in this period. It suggests both the banality and the ritualized nature of state-sponsored violence.