Birth of Adonis c. 18th century

Curator: Looking at this engraving, "Birth of Adonis" by Giovanni Volpato, I'm immediately struck by its strange stillness—a quiet drama unfolding. Editor: The hatching is incredible, giving the scene a textural density. You can almost feel the rough paper and the precision of the etched lines. Curator: Exactly! The way the figures cluster around the birthing tree feels so intimate. Almost like a sacred ritual, don't you think? Editor: It speaks to the transformation inherent in both artmaking and childbirth. The copperplate, the ink, the press—a whole chain of labor just to get here. Curator: A whole chain indeed! The image definitely makes you consider the many processes required to create one. Editor: A fascinating glimpse into the material world of both myth and art production. Curator: Absolutely, leaving much to ponder long after viewing.