Verdiensten van studie 1622 - 1691

Lorenzo Loli made this print, ‘Verdiensten van studie’ – or ‘The Merits of Study’ – using etching. The image is a direct result of the process. Loli would have coated a copper plate with wax, then used a sharp needle to scratch an image into the wax, exposing the metal. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. Finally, the plate was inked and pressed against paper, transferring the image. Think of the artist at work: bending over the plate, carefully judging how much pressure to apply to the etching needle, and how long to leave the plate in the acid. This is a skilled tradition, not unlike that of a goldsmith or armor maker, where control of materials is paramount. Ultimately, it’s all about the touch: the unique expression of the hand. What may look like a straightforward reproduction is actually an intimate record of the maker's actions. This speaks to the real value of any work of art, including prints: not just the image itself, but the labor and care that brought it into being.