Orosmane brengt Zaïre om het leven 1781

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made this print of "Orosmane brengt Zaïre om het leven" using engraving, a process of cutting lines into a metal plate with a tool called a burin. Engraving demands precision and control, and the finely wrought lines create a dramatic scene. Look closely, and you can see how Chodowiecki varies the weight and density of the lines to model the figures and create depth. The stark contrast between light and shadow amplifies the tragic drama of the moment, highlighting the emotional intensity of the scene. The artist has also used labor-intensive techniques to capture specific details, emphasizing the way in which the modes of production influences the appearance. This speaks to the intense labor involved, and reminds us of the skilled hands that brought this image into being. This was, in its day, a reproductive medium; prints like this democratized imagery, making it available to a broad public. This print shows us that even within so-called "fine art," we find connections to craft, labor, and the wider world of making.