Wijsheid toont een jongen de Gelegenheid (Occasio) 1721 - 1771

This print, "Wisdom Shows a Boy Opportunity," was created by Jeremias Wachsmuth in the 18th century using engraving techniques. Look closely, and you’ll see how the incised lines create a range of textures, from the solid forms of the allegorical figures to the ethereal quality of the clouds. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning the image is cut into a metal plate, ink is applied and then wiped from the surface, leaving ink only in the incised lines, and then the printmaker presses paper against the plate to transfer the image. This was a laborious, skilled practice with its own aesthetic traditions. Before the advent of photography and mass media, engraving was crucial for disseminating images, spreading knowledge, and shaping public opinion. The act of carefully carving and reproducing images speaks to a culture that valued precision, skill, and the wider distribution of ideas. Considering the print’s meticulous production and its role in spreading knowledge helps us understand its original importance. It challenges any simple separation of art from craft, highlighting how deeply intertwined they really are.