Vioolspeler en fluitist 1655 - 1700

Jan van Somer created this print, depicting a violinist and a flutist, using etching and engraving. These methods are all about controlled mark-making, building up the image line by line. Look closely, and you can see how the crisp engraved lines define the figures, contrasting with the softer, textured areas created by etching. This combination speaks to a moment when printmaking was becoming increasingly sophisticated, a craft elevated by skilled artisans. Van Somer wasn't just reproducing an image; he was orchestrating a performance on the copper plate itself. Consider the labor involved, the meticulous work of cutting lines into metal. This was a commercial medium, meant for distribution, but it also demanded a highly trained hand. By appreciating the materiality and process, we recognize that printmaking is not just a means of reproduction, but a creative practice with its own rich history.