H. Cecilia met harp en engel 1691 - 1703

Claude Duflos created this print of Saint Cecilia sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries using etching and engraving techniques. Look closely and you can see the lines incised into the metal plate, which would have been a labor-intensive process. The print shows Saint Cecilia, patron saint of music, playing the harp accompanied by an angel holding a book of music. Other instruments, like what appears to be a lute, are scattered at her feet. While the image depicts a scene of divine inspiration, its creation was rooted in skilled labor. The etcher and engraver meticulously translated an image onto the plate, requiring technical expertise and precision. This print, like many others from the period, would have been part of a larger industry, catering to a growing market for affordable art. The division of labor, with artists like Duflos specializing in printmaking, reflects the developing capitalist economy of the time. Understanding the making of this print reminds us that art is always embedded in social and economic realities, and it challenges us to consider the value of skilled work in both art and craft.