Jozef met het Christuskind 1708 - 1767

Johann Elias Ridinger created this image of Joseph with the Christ Child using the technique of mezzotint. This printmaking process involves roughening the entire plate, then selectively burnishing areas to create lighter tones. Look closely, and you can see the rich, velvety blacks that are characteristic of mezzotint. This effect is achieved through the labor-intensive process of uniformly burring the plate with a tool called a rocker. The artist then works back into this texture, smoothing areas to create the image. Mezzotint was highly valued for its tonal range and ability to reproduce paintings. It demanded skill and time, reflecting a significant investment of labor. In this context, it is interesting to consider the subject matter: Joseph, a humble carpenter, now rendered with such careful and painstaking labor. Considering the materials and making of this artwork allows us to understand the cultural value placed on skilled work, and also to appreciate the irony of depicting simple virtues through complex means.