Heilige Gregorius van Utrecht before 1650

This print of Saint Gregory of Utrecht was made by Frederick Bloemaert sometime in the 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the artist would have painstakingly cut lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and pressed onto paper. The crispness of the lines and the way they describe form show an immense amount of hand skill. The image is made up of multiple lines, each of which had to be etched with precision. And of course, it is not just technical virtuosity on display here, but artistry, in the creation of a compelling composition. Note how the figure of Saint Gregory lies horizontally, almost floating, while the beggar reaches out to him. Engravings like this were relatively inexpensive to produce compared to paintings or sculptures, so they helped spread images and ideas to a wider audience. Consider the labor involved in its production, and how such works played a role in the culture of their time.