Plate 16: David Killing Goliath, from 'The Battles of the Old Testament' 1585 - 1615

Antonio Tempesta made this print, "David Killing Goliath," around the turn of the 17th century using the intaglio process. This involved incising lines into a copper plate, inking the surface, then wiping it clean so the ink remained only in the grooves. The plate was then pressed onto paper, creating a mirror image of the original design. Look closely, and you'll see that the image is entirely built from line work, varying in thickness to create areas of tone and shadow. This printmaking technique wasn't exactly everyday, but neither was it considered high art at the time. It was a reproductive medium, ideal for rapidly disseminating images for mass consumption. Consider how Tempesta's skill transforms a relatively simple industrial process into something intricate and visually arresting. Through this print, the biblical scene of David and Goliath is not just depicted, but also made widely accessible, blurring the lines between art, craft, and commerce.