Opstanding 1602 - 1604

This engraving, titled Opstanding, was made by Raffaello Schiaminossi around the turn of the 17th century. Schiaminossi used a metal plate to make this print, carving lines into its surface that would hold ink, and transfer the image to paper. The material qualities of the metal plate and the incisive lines dictate the aesthetic of the work. Note the intricacy of detail achieved and the graphic contrast between light and shadow. Consider the labor invested in producing this image. Each line is the result of precise physical effort. Prints like this one made art and ideas accessible to a wider audience, playing a crucial role in disseminating religious narratives and shaping cultural understanding. It brings into question distinctions between fine art and craft as it is both a work of art in itself, and a means of production. Appreciating both the image and its making allows us to understand the cultural forces at play.