Amphitrite op een strijdwagen after 1656

This is an image of Amphitrite on a chariot, made by an anonymous artist using engraving techniques. The most striking aspect of this print is its execution. Engraving is an intaglio process, in which lines are incised into a metal plate – usually copper – and then filled with ink and printed. The crisp, precise lines of the image reflect the careful handwork required for this technique. Look closely, and you will notice how the varying thicknesses and densities of the lines create a sense of volume, light, and shadow. The cultural significance of prints like these lies in their reproducibility. While painting and sculpture were unique works accessible only to the wealthy, prints allowed images and ideas to circulate more widely. Engravings like this would have been relatively affordable. They would have been collected by a broad spectrum of people interested in classical mythology and design. The engraving process itself represents a specific form of labor, and the resulting image, while not unique, carries the mark of the engraver's skill and artistry.