Naastenliefde 1551

Heinrich Aldegrever created this tiny, intricate engraving, called "Naastenliefde" – or "Charity" – sometime in the first half of the 16th century. The print was made by carefully cutting lines into a copper plate with a tool called a burin. Ink would have been applied to the plate, then wiped off the surface, remaining only in the incised lines. Finally, the image would be transferred to paper under great pressure. Aldegrever was one of the “Little Masters,” German printmakers known for their small scale and incredible detail. Look closely, and you’ll see how he uses the simple vocabulary of line to describe a wide range of textures: the soft folds of the figure's drapery, the rough bark of the trees, and the stony ground. The making of prints like this one was deeply tied to the rise of a market economy. They could be produced in multiples and sold relatively cheaply, making art accessible to a wider audience. Aldegrever was not only a skilled craftsman, but an entrepreneur, responding to the growing demand for images in his time. By appreciating the labor and skill involved in this tiny work, we recognize its significant place in art history.