Rivierlandschap met de Heilige Familie op de vlucht naar Egypte 1634 - 1686

Jacques Prou made this 17th-century landscape depicting the Holy Family's flight into Egypt by incising lines into a copper plate, a process called etching. This printmaking technique allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, making art accessible to a broader audience. Notice how the etched lines define every aspect of the scene, from the rough textures of the rocky landscape to the delicate rendering of light and shadow. The image is not just a picturesque scene, but a testament to the skilled labor involved in its production. The artist's hand is evident in every line, each one carefully placed to create depth, texture, and mood. The complex details, combined with the many prints made from the plate, make the image a kind of commodity. By considering the material and making of this print, we see how technical skill, artistic expression, and the dynamics of production intertwine.