De aanbidding der koningen c. 1470 - 1482

Martin Schongauer created this print, "The Adoration of the Magi", using the intaglio process, in which lines are incised into a metal plate, then filled with ink and pressed onto paper. Look closely and you can see the effect of the burin as it moved across the copper, the quality of line suggesting both depth and form. The controlled cuts articulate intricate details, from the rich folds of the kings' robes to the delicate features of the Virgin and Child. In Schongauer's time, printmaking was becoming increasingly important to the commercialization of art, allowing images and ideas to be disseminated widely. This piece shows an interesting intersection of labor, skill, and the rising market for art. Schongauer's detailed engraving demonstrates his mastery and the commercial opportunities arising at this time. Appreciating the significance of materials, making, and context allows us to challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft and understand the full meaning of the artwork.