Christus aan het kruis, met Maria, de H. Franciscus en de H. Catharina van Siena c. 1590 - 1613

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving titled "Christus aan het kruis, met Maria, de H. Franciscus en de H. Catharina van Siena." Consider how the artist, used the engraving technique to create the work, manipulating the metal plate to achieve the desired lines and textures. These lines create the image we see, defining forms, light, and shadow. The result is a highly detailed composition, a testament to the engraver’s skill. Engraving as a medium has an interesting relationship with labor and class. It was a skilled craft, requiring years of training and practice. Engravers often worked in workshops or as part of a larger printmaking industry, producing images for a growing market of consumers. The prints themselves could be reproduced and distributed widely, making art more accessible to a broader audience, and in turn it could reinforce certain religious or social viewpoints. It's a reminder that art is not just about the image itself, but about the materials, the making, and the context in which it was created.