Hazenjacht met luipaarden 1594 - 1598

This print, "Hazenjacht met luipaarden," was made by Jan Collaert II around the turn of the 17th century, using engraving, a printmaking technique that requires considerable skill. The process involves meticulously carving lines into a metal plate, which are then filled with ink and transferred to paper under high pressure. Look closely at the rich detail that Collaert was able to achieve with this method. The lines define the forms and create a sense of depth, from the landscape to the figures engaged in the hunt. The choice of engraving as a medium is significant. It was a popular method for disseminating images widely, making them accessible to a broad audience, thereby democratizing art. The print depicts an aristocratic hunting scene, but its creation and distribution involved the labor of skilled artisans like Collaert, reflecting the intersection of artistic production and social class. The image would not exist without the engraver's labor. Appreciating the art of making helps us consider the broader context of production, consumption, and social hierarchy in the artwork.