Extase van H. Theresia 1678

Claude Mellan created this print, *Extase van H. Theresia*, using engraving. That means lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. Now, look closely. Mellan didn't use the usual cross-hatching to create shadows and forms. Instead, he relied almost exclusively on parallel lines of varying thickness and density. This technique, known as the "single line" method, was incredibly demanding, requiring absolute control over the burin, the engraving tool. Each line had to be precise, with no room for error. This approach emphasizes the material and process, almost as if the labor is made visible. It challenges the traditional hierarchy that places concept above craft, as the sheer skill required to execute this print becomes a central part of its meaning. Mellan’s virtuosity transforms a devotional image into a demonstration of artistic process, elevating the status of printmaking itself.