Leda en de zwaan 1696

This print of Leda and the Swan was made by Bernard Picart, likely in the early 18th century, using engraving. Look closely, and you'll see how the image is built up through a network of tiny lines incised into a metal plate. The quality of the engraving creates subtle gradations of tone and texture, from the delicate rendering of Leda’s skin to the feathery plumage of the swan. The swan is almost slimy and the skin looks soft. Engraving like this required immense skill and time. It speaks to the culture of meticulous craftsmanship that prevailed before industrialization really took hold. Each line had to be carefully planned and executed, meaning that prints like this were luxury items, enjoyed by a relatively small circle of connoisseurs. So, while this image depicts a mythological scene, its real significance lies in the material and the making. It reminds us of the labor, skill, and social context that went into even seemingly simple images in the pre-industrial world.