Maria lactans met engel in ovalen lijst 1643 - 1710

This print, “Maria lactans met engel in ovalen lijst,” was made by Nicolas Bazin sometime between 1648 and 1710. It’s made of ink on paper, an interesting combination of the graphic and the painterly. Look closely, and you'll see that the image is actually composed of thousands of tiny lines, each carefully etched into a metal plate, which was then used to print the image. The printmaking process involved a lot of labor, from preparing the plate to inking it and pulling the final print. Printmaking was a key technology in early modern Europe, allowing for the mass production of images and the dissemination of ideas, not unlike today's digital media. By understanding the materials, processes, and social context in which this print was made, we can better appreciate its artistic, cultural, and historical significance, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.