Madre Armadillo, Hayter Engraving Daniel Salazar, 2023

In this finely detailed metal engraving by Daniel Salazar, a mother armadillo cradles her young within a dreamlike geometry of scales, patterns, and protective curves. The composition — enclosed in a circle reminiscent of both a womb and a solar disc — merges scientific illustration with folk symbolism. Below, a flowering nopal anchors the scene in the natural world of Mexico, evoking both sustenance and resilience.

Executed using the Hayter technique, a process developed at Atelier 17 that allows for rich tonal variations and layered textures, the work demonstrates a masterful command of line and depth. The artist’s hand is precise yet expressive — each dot, claw, and petal contributes to a narrative of tenderness and survival.

Printed on cotton paper and born from the vibrant printmaking community of Oaxaca, Madre Armadillo is a quiet ode to maternal care in the animal world, filtered through a visual language that is both local and universal. A work that invites close observation and rewards it with complexity.

Technical Sheet

• Object: Metal engraving
• Title: Madre Armadillo, Hayter Engraving
• Artist: Daniel Salazar
• Date: 2023 (approx.)
• Technique / Printing Method: Hayter technique (metal engraving)
• Medium / Materials: Ink on cotton paper
• Edition: Not specified
• Signed: Not visible
• Framing: Unframed
• Dimensions: 28 x 19 cm
• Condition: Excellent
• Provenance: Private Collection, Oaxaca