Horizontal Panel with Three Thimble Designs and Three Medallions 1580 - 1600

This print was made by Johann Theodor de Bry around the turn of the 17th century, using etching and engraving. These are essentially reproductive media, allowing the artist to create multiples on paper. Consider the difference between this and, say, a unique painting on canvas. De Bry’s print could be disseminated widely. It speaks to a growing market for accessible imagery at this time. The designs, intended for thimbles, speak to a culture of making. The imagery and inscriptions around the designs use themes of love. The inscription reads as “Amour de vertu contre Amour.” The level of detail achieved through these printmaking processes is exquisite. And, like any form of making, printmaking requires immense skill, honed through years of practice. So, as you look at this modest little print, think of it as the tip of an iceberg, with many layers of intention, labor, and circulation beneath the surface.