Heilige Carlo Borromeo 1632 - 1657

Jean Couvay's "Heilige Carlo Borromeo" was created using engraving, a printmaking technique that demands precision and control. Here, a design is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll notice how the dense, parallel lines create a sense of depth and shadow, giving the image its dramatic lighting. This technique would have required immense skill, patience, and time. The engraver's hand is evident in every line, a testament to their mastery of the tools and materials. This print was not made as a unique work, but rather to be disseminated widely. Consider the labor involved, not only in the creation of the plate but also in the many prints pulled from it. This speaks to the democratizing potential of printmaking and the ability to spread images and ideas across society. Through material and process, Couvay's "Heilige Carlo Borromeo" bridges the gap between the artist's studio and the wider world.