Rebekka og Eliezer ved brønden 1565 - 1607

This print, "Rebekka og Eliezer ved brønden," was made by Jan Saenredam, most likely in the late 16th or early 17th century. It's an engraving, a process that involves meticulously incising lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. The character of an engraving is all in the precision of the line. Look closely, and you'll see how Saenredam used hatching and cross-hatching to create a sense of depth and volume. The image is rendered with a distinctive graphic quality. The story told is almost beside the point; the real interest here is the way that Saenredam has fully mastered the engraving process, so evident in the landscapes, the architecture, and the exquisite costumes worn by the figures. The intense labor and skill involved in the production of this artwork highlights the value placed on craft and technical expertise during this period. It is a kind of refinement utterly distinct from painting or sculpture. In its very essence, it's a demonstration of skill, transformed into image.