Smell 1593 - 1596

Jan Saenredam created this print, titled "Smell," using engraving techniques. The printmaking process has a fascinating relationship to labor. To create this image, the artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines into a copper plate. Ink is then applied to the plate and wiped away, remaining only in the incised lines. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image transfers, resulting in a reversed impression of the original design. Look closely, and you will appreciate the extraordinary amount of work that went into the making of this image. The sharp precision of the engraved lines gives the image a crisp, clean appearance, perfectly suited to the depiction of the wealthy couple and their surroundings. Consider how this labor-intensive process elevates the status of the image, transforming the everyday act of smelling into a scene of refined elegance. By understanding the materials, making, and context, we can appreciate the full meaning of the artwork.