Adam en Eva bij het lijk van Abel 1776

This print, made by Carlo Antonio Porporati, shows Adam and Eve mourning Abel’s death. It's a line engraving, meaning the image is created from lines cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The dramatic scene gains intensity from the stark contrast between light and shadow, achieved through the engraver's skilled manipulation of line weight and density. Look closely, and you'll see the web of fine lines creating the figures' forms. The engraver would have used tools like burins and scrapers to achieve this level of detail. Engraving was a highly valued skill in the 18th century. It allowed for the mass production of images. This made art accessible to a wider audience. It also reflects the growing commercialization of art and the rise of a market for prints. This print brings a biblical scene into the domestic sphere. It invites viewers to contemplate themes of loss, guilt, and redemption in a new way. Porporati was not just an artist, but a skilled maker, deeply engaged with the material processes that gave form to his artistic vision.