Headband: Basket of Fruit 1600 - 1688

This is Claude Mellan’s “Headband: Basket of Fruit,” a print made in the 17th century using engraving. Look closely, and you'll see how the network of fine lines creates the impression of light and shadow across the image. Mellan was celebrated for his skill with the burin, the tool used to cut these lines into a copper plate. It's a laborious, painstaking process. The image itself is full of bounty. We see fruit spilling out of a woven basket, flanked by figures and foliage. Consider the contrast between the opulence depicted and the intensive labor required for its making. Engraving was a reproductive medium, used to disseminate images widely. So, this little print speaks volumes about the social and economic dynamics of its time. It’s a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images can be deeply embedded in the world of work, skill, and the circulation of value.