Illustration til Adam Olearius, “Persianischer Rosenthal von einem Sinnreichen Poeten Schich Saadi […]”, Schleswig 1660 1660

J. Muller created this illustration in Schleswig around 1660 for Adam Olearius's book, "Persianischer Rosenthal." The image was realized through etching, a printmaking technique involving biting lines into a metal plate with acid, then inking and pressing the plate onto paper. The resulting image has a distinctive, linear quality. Notice how the etched lines define the forms, creating texture and shadow. The process is relatively indirect; the artist works on the plate, not directly on the paper. The etching process allowed for the relatively quick and cheap reproduction of images, making them accessible to a wider audience. This was crucial for disseminating information and ideas during the early modern period, tying directly into the rise of the printing press and the increased circulation of knowledge. By understanding the material and processes involved, we gain insight into the work's original function and its place within a broader social and cultural context. It also challenges our traditional notions about what constitutes fine art.