Madonna met kind en Johannes de Doper 1618 - 1655

Cornelis Schut made this print of the Virgin Mary with the infant Christ and John the Baptist. It's a delicate work, made by the intaglio process, where the image is incised into a metal plate, inked, and then pressed onto paper. The dense cross-hatching shows the amount of work involved in the production process, with the artist using a sharp tool to carefully cut the lines into the metal. The varying depths and densities of the lines create a full range of tones, from the bright highlights on the figures to the deep shadows that define their forms. Prints like this were relatively inexpensive and could be widely distributed. The proliferation of prints facilitated the circulation of artistic ideas and styles, enabling artists to reach a wider audience, beyond the traditional patronage system. So, considering materials, making, and context helps us fully understand the meaning of this artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.