Christus en H. Antonius 1640

This print of "Christus en H. Antonius" was made by Michel Dorigny in the 17th century through the labor-intensive process of etching. To create an etching like this, a metal plate is covered with a waxy ground, and then the artist draws through this ground, exposing the metal. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. Consider the immense amount of work involved. Beyond technical skill, this piece reflects the religious environment in which Dorigny operated, and the value placed on spreading biblical stories through visual means. The very act of reproducing images through printmaking allowed for wider access, speaking to a society hungry for religious iconography and narratives. This piece is not just an image, but an artifact of faith, labor, and the socio-economic context of its time.