La Sposa Romana (Bride) 1575 - 1585

Pietro Bertelli’s “La Sposa Romana,” or Bride, was made in the late 16th or early 17th century. It’s an engraving, meaning the artist incised lines into a metal plate, applied ink, and then pressed paper to receive the image. Look closely, and you can see how Bertelli used precise, controlled lines to capture the textures and details of the bride's garments. The fine lines create delicate shading and form, from the intricate lace of her veil to the rich folds of her gown. This meticulous method, typical of printmaking at the time, allowed for the wide distribution of images, democratizing access to art and information. Engravings like this were not just aesthetic objects; they were a form of social documentation. They speak to the period's fashion, customs, and social hierarchies. The bride’s elaborate attire reflects the wealth and status associated with marriage in Roman society. So next time you look at a print, remember it’s not just an image, but a record of skill, labor, and the social context from which it emerged.