H. Warinus van Bologna 1615 - 1676

This print of H. Warinus van Bologna was made by Theodor Matham in the 17th Century, using the technique of engraving. Engraving is an intaglio process. This means that the image is incised into a plate, usually copper, using a tool called a burin. The artist would have laboriously cut lines into the metal, with the depth and thickness of each groove determining the darkness and character of the printed line. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate with considerable force, transferring the ink to create the print. Consider the level of skill required to produce such fine details. Matham had to be both technically proficient and artistically skilled to translate an image into the precise language of engraved lines. The resulting print could then be reproduced multiple times, playing an important role in disseminating information and images in a pre-photographic era. In appreciating this print, we recognize not only the artistry of Matham, but also the rich history of printmaking as a medium of craft, communication, and commerce.