St. Simon (?) and St. Matthew, from The Apostles 1435 - 1503

Israhel van Meckenem made this print of St. Simon (?) and St. Matthew around 1435 using the technique of engraving. A painstaking process, it involves incising lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Notice the incredible amount of labor involved. Every line, every shadow, is the result of a deliberate mark made by the artist’s hand. Consider how the sharp, precise lines create a sense of depth and texture, defining the figures and their garments. Meckenem was a prolific printmaker, and his workshop likely operated as a small-scale industry, catering to a growing demand for religious imagery. Prints like this one democratized art, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond the wealthy elite. The very act of reproduction challenges traditional notions of artistic uniqueness, raising questions about value, labor, and the changing landscape of art production in the late Middle Ages. It’s a testament to the power of the handmade, even in an age of emerging mechanical reproduction.