Monnik met een rol papier Possibly 1670 - 1724

This print, made by Jacob Gole around the turn of the 18th century, uses the relatively democratic medium of etching and engraving to deliver a satirical message. The image is a study in contrasts, between the smooth areas of paper, and the sharply bitten lines that define the monk’s grotesque features. The quality of the printed line is paramount here: etched with acid, then engraved to sharpen the details. Note the cross-hatching used to build up tonal depth. This would have been a skilled, laborious process. But what is most interesting about the print is its content. It critiques the selling of church offices, with the monk holding a document that promises income from rents, wine, wheat, and lordships. The inscription suggests this is not simony – the sin of selling sacred things – but merely "selling paper." Gole implicates the church directly in the emerging economy of speculation and profit, accusing it of hypocrisy. The beauty of printmaking is that it is relatively inexpensive, and can reach a wide audience. This makes it a powerful tool for social commentary, then and now.