Art Whisper
Art Whisper
Stefano Mulinari, 1750
Stop to appreciate the dramatic play of light and shadow in this etching. The innovative use of aquatint creates a striking sense of depth, making the winged figure seem to float right off the page.
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A solitary winged figure dominates this small etching, poised in mid-air against a dark, undefined background. The figure, possibly an angel or putto, is rendered with a dynamic sense of movement, its limbs outstretched and drapery swirling around it. The use of aquatint creates a soft, grainy texture that gives depth to the shadows and highlights the figure's form, making it seem to emerge from the darkness. This technique, relatively new in the mid-18th century, allowed for tonal variations akin to a wash drawing, lending the print a painterly quality. Stefano Mulinari, active in Florence, produced a number of religious and mythological etchings, and this work shares the dramatic chiaroscuro seen in his other prints of the period.
The delicate etching lines defining the figure's form and drapery.
The subtle gradations of tone created by the aquatint technique.
The way the figure's right arm extends, suggesting a gesture or offering.
Stop to appreciate the dramatic play of light and shadow in this etching. The innovative use of aquatint creates a striking sense of depth, making the winged f…
Italian engraver who transformed devotional scenes into intimate etchings with aquatint and colored washes.
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