Aanbidding door de koningen

François Ragot made this print of the Adoration of the Magi sometime in the mid-17th century, and as you can see, it is made of ink on paper. This is an engraving, a printmaking technique where the design is incised into a metal plate, traditionally copper, using a tool called a burin. Look closely, and you can see how the ink settles into the lines, then transfers to the paper when printed. The clarity of the design depends greatly on the steady hand of the engraver, and the pressure they apply to the burin. Notice the incredible precision of the lines, which creates the remarkable range of shading and tonality. Engraving was a painstaking process, requiring many hours of labor, so prints like this were relatively expensive. That means that this image would likely have been acquired by someone of considerable means, and cherished as an object of both devotion and artistry. Considering the intense labor that went into it helps us appreciate the print all the more. It reminds us that every artwork is the result of skill and hard work.