Verbond tussen Bacchus en Venus c. 1740

This print, "Verbond tussen Bacchus en Venus," was made by Jacques Philippe Le Bas, sometime in the 18th century. It’s a scene of classical revelry, achieved using the technique of engraving, where lines are incised into a metal plate, and then filled with ink to create a printed image. Consider the labor involved: the artist had to be a skilled draughtsman, capable of translating complex scenes into delicate lines. The quality of the print depended on the engraver's control over the burin, the tool used to carve the lines, and their understanding of tonal values. The social context is crucial here. Prints like these were often made in multiples, making art more accessible to a wider audience. While the content reflects elite themes of mythology and pleasure, the medium itself speaks to broader social shifts in the consumption and distribution of art. The print bridges the gap between luxury and accessibility, pointing to a changing relationship between artistic production and the public.