Twee zingende jongens 1658 - 1677

Wallerant Vaillant created this mezzotint print of two singing boys sometime in the mid-17th century. Vaillant chose the mezzotint for its unique tonal qualities, a process involving roughening the entire copper plate to create a smooth surface capable of holding ink. Scraping and burnishing the plate allows for varying shades of grey, producing images with soft, velvety textures, as you can see in the fine details of the boy’s faces and clothing. This was laborious work. The social context here is interesting: the printmaking trade was expanding rapidly in the 17th century, creating a market for relatively inexpensive images like this one, that could be widely distributed. The choice of mezzotint, with its capacity to mimic the effects of painting, suggests a desire to elevate printmaking to the status of fine art. It is not just a reproduction, but a creative act in its own right. Understanding Vaillant's process helps us appreciate his print, blurring boundaries between craft, art, and commerce.