Oded bevrijdt de gevangenen van het leger van Samaria 1697 - 1763

Nicolas de Beauvais created this print, "Oded bevrijdt de gevangenen van het leger van Samaria," using engraving, likely in the first half of the 18th century. Engraving is an intaglio process, where the design is cut into a metal plate, ink is applied, and then the surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image transfers. The resulting print possesses a unique tactile quality; the lines are slightly raised. The labor-intensive nature of engraving lends itself to detailed, narrative scenes. Here, the composition bursts with figures, each delineated with precision. The story of Oded is brought to life through the skilled use of line, shadow, and the inherent replicability of the medium. Prints like this one democratized access to visual imagery. They were produced and distributed widely. By understanding both the method of making and its historical context, we can better appreciate the work as a cultural artifact.