De zeven deugden 1588 - 1652

Jacob Matham created this print, "The Seven Virtues," sometime between 1586 and 1631, using the technique of engraving. Engraving involves using a tool called a burin to incise lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely, and you can see how the network of fine lines defines every form in the composition. The material properties of the metal plate dictate the precision and detail achievable through this process. In Matham's time, printmaking was a crucial industry. It was a way of disseminating images widely and efficiently, connecting distant cities and cultures. The skill required to produce engravings like this reflected a highly specialized labor force, producing works that were both artistic and commercial. The act of engraving, with its emphasis on skill and precision, elevated the status of printmakers, blurring the lines between craft and fine art. By appreciating the labor and technical skill embedded in "The Seven Virtues," we recognize printmaking not just as a means of reproduction, but as a distinct and significant art form in its own right.