Salmacis en Hermaphroditus 1570 - 1574

This print, "Salmacis en Hermaphroditus," was created by Johannes and Lucas van Doetechum, and exists as an example of the rich graphic arts industry of the Netherlands. It was made using engraving, a process that involves carefully incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing paper against its surface. The crisp lines and fine details we see are a direct result of this meticulous process. The technique itself speaks to a culture deeply invested in craftsmanship and precision. Printmaking like this was crucial for disseminating knowledge and art across Europe. The materiality of the print is also significant. The paper itself, though humble, provided a surface that could carry complex imagery, produced through the intense labor of the engraver. The relatively small scale of the print allowed for its easy distribution and consumption, making it a commodity within an expanding art market. Ultimately, the meaning of this work is inseparable from its making and its place within a burgeoning capitalist system, where art became both a cultural object and a tradeable good.