The Last Judgment 1549

"The Last Judgment" was created in 1549 by Augustin Hirschvogel using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production in its time. The image is made through biting lines into a metal plate with acid, and then using this plate to transfer an image onto paper. The stark quality of line in this print allows for an incredible amount of detail. Look closely at the writhing figures and the torrent of light pouring down from the heavens. The lines create texture and shadow. The relative ease with which printmaking allowed one to make images meant that ideas could be widely disseminated, influencing society in various ways. It was used for religious instruction, and was often critical of established power. This piece is more than just an aesthetic or art object; it's a social artifact reflecting the religious and political tensions of the Reformation era. It shows us that images, like objects, are tied to the means and conditions of their production.