Twee putti 1738 - 1815

This image of two putti was made by Francesco Bartolozzi using the technique of engraving. It's a process of incising an image onto a metal plate, which is then inked and used to make prints. Engraving is an indirect process, meaning that the image you see is not created directly by the artist's hand, but through a mechanical process involving tools and a printing press. Bartolozzi likely used a burin, a specialized tool, to carefully carve lines into the metal, building up the image through a network of delicate marks. Look closely at the varying density of the marks, creating light and shadow effects which model the forms of the cherubic figures. Engraving was a skilled craft, demanding precision and control. It also allowed for the mass production of images, making art more accessible, albeit in reproduction. By understanding the material qualities of engraving, we can appreciate both the artistry and the democratizing potential inherent in this mode of production.