Priester zegent de hostie en de miswijn voor een altaar 1661

This print, made by Sébastien Leclerc I, was created using the process of etching. It is a fine example of how a humble material – a copper plate – can become a vehicle for complex social narratives. The etched lines create the image, but also capture a moment in the ritual of the Catholic Church. A priest is shown consecrating the communion wafer and wine. But notice the image in the background; it depicts the crucifixion. Leclerc has woven together the everyday act of religious observance with the ultimate moment of sacrifice. This print reflects the social context of its time, when religious art was central to everyday life. The labor of the artist, Leclerc, and the labor of the priest, are united in the performance of faith. By examining its materials and making, we recognize the layers of meaning embedded in this small but powerful image.