Prudentia 1658

Jozua Breckerveld’s ‘Prudentia’ is an engraving, made by cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. It is a reproductive technology that enabled the widespread circulation of images. Look closely at the image. Notice the density of fine lines, which create tone and shadow. Think about the labor that went into creating this image. Breckerveld would have needed immense skill to guide his burin to produce this level of detail. The image, a personification of prudence, is thus constructed with a great deal of care and forethought. She holds a serpent, an ancient symbol of wisdom and caution. Printmaking like this emerged with the rise of a commercial economy, and it made images accessible to a broad public. Rather than being unique handmade works, engravings are industrial products, created by skilled artisans. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, and asks us to consider the social and economic context in which art is made.