Print from Drawing Book c. 1610 - 1620

Luca Ciamberlano made this print on paper sometime between 1599 and 1641, using the intaglio process. In intaglio, the image is incised into a metal plate, often copper, with tools or acid. Ink is then forced into these lines, the surface wiped clean, and the image transferred to paper under high pressure. Look closely, and you can see how the pressure of the printing process has left an impression on the page, a subtle relief where the lines of the image push slightly forward. The choice of paper is also crucial. The absorbency of the paper, its texture, and even its color all affect how the ink is received and how the final image appears. Also, notice the page’s discoloration; its imperfections, stains, and creases all speak to the paper’s age. Understanding these material aspects gives us insight into the artist's intentions, but also reveals the broader economic and social context. Printmaking allowed for the wider distribution of images, democratizing art in a way previously unimaginable, connecting the hand of the artist to the burgeoning world of commerce.