Heilige Familie met Elisabet en Johannes de Doper 1615 - 1690

This engraving of the Holy Family with Elizabeth and John the Baptist was created by an anonymous artist. The printmaking process, requiring careful incision into a metal plate, allowed for the wide distribution of imagery. This was essential for the spread of artistic styles and religious iconography. But let's consider the materiality here: the fine lines, so meticulously rendered, demonstrate the engraver's skill. The cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and shadow. The very act of engraving, a labor-intensive process, speaks to a culture where craftsmanship was valued. But it also hints at the emerging world of mass production, where images could be replicated and disseminated on a scale previously unimaginable. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can understand the full meaning of this artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.