Koning scheldt de onbarmhartige dienaar zijn schulden kwijt 1585 - 1646

This print, titled "Koning scheldt de onbarmhartige dienaar zijn schulden kwijt", was made by an anonymous artist. It's an engraving, a process where lines are cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The image's starkness is due to the linear nature of engraving. Notice how the artist uses a dense network of lines to create shadows and volume, giving form to the figures and architectural setting. The narrative unfolds through the careful arrangement of these etched lines, capturing a moment of debt forgiveness. The labor-intensive engraving process mirrors the economic themes of the artwork. The precision and time required to produce such a print reflect the value of skilled labor in a pre-industrial economy. This print invites us to consider the social relationships, labor, and moral lessons embedded in its making and subject matter.