Kind met beschermengel 1586 - 1650

This print, *Child with Guardian Angel*, was made by Cornelis Galle I, around the turn of the 17th century, using the technique of engraving. Galle would have used a tool called a burin to manually cut lines into a copper plate, a labor-intensive process that demanded precision and skill. The image shows a guardian angel guiding a child through a landscape. The fine lines of the engraving lend a remarkable level of detail to the scene, from the angel's feathered wings to the texture of the trees. The deliberate, careful process of engraving speaks to the religious nature of the print, intended to provide spiritual guidance. It's worth remembering that prints like this one were luxury goods, requiring both artistic skill and access to specialized equipment. The act of making this print also carries social significance, reflecting the religious and cultural values of its time. By appreciating its materiality and the labor involved, we recognize that craft and fine art are closely intertwined.