Rechthoekige cartouche met inscriptie in spiegelschrift 1569

This rectangular cartouche with inscription in mirror writing was made by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, and exists as an engraving on paper. Engraving is an exacting, laborious process. The artist carefully carves lines into a metal plate, which are then filled with ink and transferred to paper under high pressure. Here, the technique has been used to create a fanciful, elaborate border teeming with ornamentation and naturalistic motifs, framing a block of text written in reverse. Mirror writing speaks to the unique relationship between printmaking and reproduction. The inscription’s reversal is a direct consequence of the printing process, where the image on the plate is transferred in reverse onto the paper. The content of the text itself is almost secondary; the real interest here lies in the virtuosity of the engraving. The artists would have needed immense skill to cut such fine lines, and to do so in reverse. In doing so, they elevated printmaking from a mere means of reproduction to a high form of craftsmanship.