Maria met dode lichaam van Christus op schoot, zittend onder het kruis 1639

Pieter de Bailliu made this print of Mary holding the dead Christ sometime in the 17th century using engraving. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning the image is incised into a metal plate, here most likely copper. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. High pressure is then used to transfer the image to paper. Look closely and you'll notice the crisp, precise quality of the lines, a hallmark of the technique. The engraver's skill lay in translating tone and texture through the careful modulation of these lines, a labor-intensive process requiring immense patience and control. The image's impact lies not only in its dramatic composition, but also in the mastery of a craft that transforms humble materials into a powerful vehicle for artistic expression, inviting reflection on the intersections of skill, faith, and representation.