Leto (Latona) verandert de Lyciërs in kikkers c. 1636 - 1670

Crispijn van de Passe II made this print, Leto (Latona) verandert de Lyciërs in kikkers, using an engraving technique. Here, we see the transformation of humans into frogs through a network of carefully incised lines on a metal plate, which holds ink and transfers the image to paper. The precision and detail achieved through engraving are evident in the rendering of textures, light, and shadow. This print wasn’t only about aesthetic representation, but also served as a means of mass communication and dissemination of ideas during the early modern period. The print medium allowed for the reproduction and distribution of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Each copy of the artwork involved manual labour. The story behind this print, of humans being transformed into frogs, may also carry a deeper cultural and social commentary, challenging our traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.