Artworks by Giulio Napoletano

My production of prints is based on a simple but precise principle: to offer the uniqueness of a painting through an original print, at an affordable price. Each print is entirely handmade using a Japanese-inspired hand-printing technique. No mechanical press is involved. The process allows the water-based ink to interact with the paper in a spontaneous and unpredictable way. Variations in pressure, ink, texture and registration create subtle differences in every impression. The result is a series of prints with an ancient, almost archaic character, where small imperfections and unexpected effects are not defects, but an essential part of the work. Although the same linoleum block may be used, each hand-pulled impression is individually made and therefore unique. For this reason, I do not approach these works according to the conventional concept of a limited edition. Instead, I call them: “Unique Hand-Pulled Linocuts.”

The intention is not to reproduce a painting, but to bring something of its uniqueness, materiality and expressive character into the language of printmaking — making an original work of art accessible to a wider audience.

The imagery of these prints is inspired by the beautiful and mysterious illustrations found in ancient alchemical books. Drawing on their symbolic language and archaic character, I create my own images, often hiding a small puzzle or visual riddle within them. Some elements may appear familiar at first, but their meaning is not always immediately apparent. The viewer is invited to look more closely, discover the hidden clues and perhaps find their own interpretation.