De dood van Dido 1622 - 1650

This is Pietro Testa’s etching, ‘The Death of Dido.’ The medium of etching is crucial here. Lines are bitten into a metal plate with acid, which is then inked and printed. Etching allowed Testa to achieve a remarkable freedom of line. It's quick, and relatively cheap – ideal for circulating images widely. Here, he has used the technique to create a dynamic scene of high drama. Dido, the Queen of Carthage, takes her own life upon a pyre after being abandoned by Aeneas. What I find fascinating is the way the etching medium gives the scene a sense of immediacy, almost like a sketch. Yet, it’s also carefully composed, demonstrating Testa's skill. Etchings like this were made for a growing market of collectors who wanted affordable art. This print exemplifies how artistic skill combines with technological innovation, serving a public hungry for accessible imagery. This piece challenges any rigid boundary between fine art and popular consumption.