Spaanse vrouw 1569

This print, titled "Spaanse vrouw" or Spanish Woman, was made by Ferando Bertelli. It gives us insight into the world of printmaking and its role in disseminating images and ideas. The print was made through etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate using acid, and then filled with ink to create an image. In Bertelli’s time, printmaking was a booming industry, making images more accessible. This specific print would have been one of many, catering to a growing interest in different cultures and exoticism. Examining the work through the lens of labor and production reveals interesting things. The artist, or their workshop, put in hours to create this image. The very nature of the print, an easily reproducible image, hints at the advent of mass production. Looking at this print, we must remember that it's not just an aesthetic creation, but also an object tied to labor, trade, and the circulation of images. By considering the making and the context, we gain a better understanding of the artwork's meaning.