Maria met kind 1638 - 1690

Jean Pesne made this print of Maria met kind, or Mary and Child, sometime in the 17th century. The process, engraving, involves cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing paper against it to transfer the image. Look closely, and you'll see how the density of these lines creates the illusion of light and shadow, defining the forms of Mary and the Christ Child. The process demands precision and control; each line meticulously placed to convey depth and texture. Engraving, while capable of great subtlety, was also a relatively reproducible medium. Prints like this would have circulated widely, offering affordable versions of devotional imagery to a broad audience. Consider the labour involved in creating the original design, cutting the plate, and printing the editions. What was once the domain of unique works of art was opened to wider distribution, a shift reflective of the era’s changing relationship to art and commerce. So, the next time you see an old print, consider the many hands involved in its making and dissemination, and what that tells us about its cultural value.