Marcantonio Raimondi (Bologna ~ 1480 -. V. 1534) is a well-known Italian engraver, who contributed to the diffusion of the works of the masters that were thus observed by other painters, copied or transformed. The engraving print, in fact, had a primary function, in the artistic field, at that time, and was the main reason for the knowledge of painting and was the reason for the success of many artists.
His first dated production, completed in 1505, illustrates the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. He was a specialist in the creation of niello, that is, that engraving in gold in silver, which is made evident by filling the path, through black material. It should also be considered as the first engraver dedicated almost exclusively to the reproduction of works by famous artists, inaugurating a genre of great success. Trying to take advantage of his talent, Marcantonio moved to Venice and created 69 copper copies of Albrecht Dürer's woodcuts (xylographs). Around 1510, Marcantonio went to Rome and entered Raphael's circle of artists who understood the enormous potential offered by the skilled engraver.
