Manieren om de menselijke figuur te beeldhouwen 1727

Bernard Picart created this print, "Manieren om de menselijke figuur te beeldhouwen," using engraving techniques. The image depicts a sculptor's studio, complete with a classical bust, tools, and architectural elements, all rendered in fine lines. The process of engraving itself—the careful carving into a metal plate—mirrors the subtractive process of sculpting. The sculpture seems to emerge from the stone, just as the image emerges from the engraver's plate. Look closely, and you'll notice the tools of the trade: compasses for measuring, chisels for carving, and a straight edge for precision. These elements remind us that art-making is also labor. Picart elevates this labor through his printmaking; it's an artistic medium that, in its own way, reshapes the world around it. The print thus becomes more than a mere depiction, it's a celebration of making, and the convergence of artistry and craftsmanship.