Lydia 1595 - 1599

This print of Lydia was made by Jan Collaert the Younger, around the turn of the 17th century. It is an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, probably copper, with a tool called a burin, then printed onto paper. The character shown is Lydia of Thyatira, a seller of purple cloth converted to Christianity by Saint Paul. She’s identified with the Latin inscription, which includes “Purpuraria,” indicating her trade. Notice how the composition emphasizes the drapery of her clothing, and the fabric purse she carries. These details allude to her profession. Printmaking was an important medium for disseminating images and ideas at this time, and was closely tied to the growth of capitalism, enabling the mass production of art. The image of Lydia would have circulated among a broad public, reinforcing the cultural and economic values of the time. It is a reminder that all art, even that with religious subject matter, is made in a specific social context.