Gezicht op de San Marco 1645 - 1691

Israel Silvestre created this print of the San Marco in Venice using engraving, a process of cutting lines into a metal plate, in the 17th century. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve the image into the copper, a process demanding great precision and skill. Engraving allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images. Prints like this one became increasingly popular as ways of disseminating images widely, in a pre-photographic era. Note how Silvestre paid careful attention to the architectural details of the Basilica and Doge's Palace. The crisp lines create a sense of depth and texture, while the circular frame gives the scene a sense of contained elegance. The production of prints like these supported a whole economy of makers. From the mining of copper, to the skilled labor of the engraver, to the distribution and sale of the final product, the print speaks to a wide network of activity. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images have complex origins in materials, making, and social context.