Wapenschild met putti 1673 - 1692

This "Wapenschild met putti," or "Coat of Arms with Putti," was made by Michael Burghers, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century, using engraving. The print depicts a heraldic shield flanked by two cherubic figures, surrounded by ornate foliate designs, all enclosed within a decorative border. Burghers employed a painstaking process, incising lines into a metal plate, which would then be inked and pressed onto paper. The fineness of the lines and the intricacy of the details are a testament to Burghers' skill. Engraving was essential for disseminating information and decorative motifs in the early modern period. This print, with its classical imagery, speaks to the culture of collecting that was in vogue at the time. Burghers’s choice of engraving, rather than other printmaking methods, underscores the value placed on precision and control, qualities that elevated printmaking from a mere trade to an art form. When we consider the incredible amount of labor involved in the production process, we can also view this piece as a commodity.