Apostel en evangelist Johannes met vishengel en adelaar 1591 - 1629

This is ‘Apostle and evangelist John with fishing rod and eagle’, made by Johan Barra around the early 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, which was then inked and pressed onto paper. Notice how the quality of the lines creates the whole picture. In Barra’s time, printmaking was transforming the circulation of images. It wasn't just about religious subjects; prints were also used for scientific illustration, maps, and even popular entertainment. This made printmakers like Barra important mediators of knowledge and culture. Also, think about the labor involved. Each print required careful work, from the initial design to the final pressing. This connects the image to a whole economy of production and consumption, which in turn brings images to a wider audience than ever before. By understanding the material and processes behind the artwork, we can appreciate not only its aesthetic qualities but also its role in shaping society.