Ovaal met bladranken en bloemen 1638

This image is an engraving of floral and foliate ornament by Thomas Picquot. The engraving process sees an image cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The fine lines and details of the leaves and flowers speak to the precision and skill required to manipulate the metal with burins or other tools. Picquot’s choice of engraving reflects a specific set of values, and wider social issues of labor and consumption. The image is small, but the labor involved in its production is considerable. The texture of the print comes from the many passes of the engraver’s tool, demanding a high degree of skill. By emphasizing the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork, it challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.