‘St. Bartholomeus with his sword’, designed by Guido Reni (1575-1642), engraved by Theodor Matham (1606-1676), published by Frederik de Wit (1630-1706). A stunning etching on laid paper with a vague watermark visible.

Guido Reni (1575-1642)

Guido Reni was born on November 4, 1575 in Bologna and was a well-known Italian painter and engraver. At the age of 20 he was a student of the Augostino, Annibale and Lodovico Carracci family for a short period. In 1598 he was commissioned to execute decorative frescoes for the facade of the Palazzo del Reggimento in Bologna. This was the start of his glittering career.

After 1600 he began his many trips to Rome and continued to work there until about 1614. During the same period he met Caravaggio there. Instead of teaming up to join forces, they became rivals. In Rome, Guido Reni worked on several frescoes, including those of the San Gregorio Magno and the Palazzo Rospigliosi Pallavaccini. Around 1620 he returned to Bologna, where he started his own academy. Many new talented artists emerged from this, including Giovanni Michelini and Francesco Sessi.

After a very successful career, Guido Reni died in 1642. Many of his works of art are still exhibited in various European museums, including in London, Paris, Rome and Berlin.

Theodor Matham (1606-1676)

Theodor Matham (1606-1676) was a northern Dutch draftsman, painter and engraver. He was the son and student of painter Jacob Adriaansz Matham (1571-1665). Theodor was born in Haarlem and worked in major art cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, The Hague and Rome, and died after a successful career in Amsterdam.

Etching

Etching is considered the most important technique for producing prints by old masters. It is a very traditional process discovered by Daniel Hopfer (1470 – 1536) in Germany. Daniel Hopfer already used the etching technique on combat clothing before applying it to make a print. A strong acid or pickling agent is used to cut metal surfaces (usually copper, zinc or steel). The metal plate is covered with a waxy soil which is resistant to acid. The artist then scratches his or her design into the metal with different types of etching needles. After a bath of acid or pickling agent, the scratched metal undergoes a redox reaction, leaving the drawing in the wax on the plate. Ink is poured over the plate and wiped off again to fill in the scratched areas. By then pressing the plate in paper, an etching is created.