Allegori med tre ynglinge og en gammel mand i antik dragt. 1765 - 1833

This print, 'Allegory with three youths and an old man in antique costume,' was made by Gerhard Ludvig Lahde. Look closely, and you’ll see it's an engraving – a demanding process that begins with a metal plate, usually copper, into which the image is incised by hand using a tool called a burin. The lines carved into the plate hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. It’s a labor-intensive process requiring precision, control, and a deep understanding of materials. Engraving flourished in an age before photography, serving as a crucial method for disseminating images and information. This print, with its classical subject matter, speaks to the broader social context of the 18th and 19th centuries, when there was a revived interest in ancient cultures. By appreciating the work involved in its creation, we gain insight into the cultural values of the time, blurring the boundaries between art, craft, and the wider world of labor and production.