Vrouw in gesprek met Amor 1722 - 1784

Simon Fokke made this small engraving, Vrouw in gesprek met Amor, using a sharp tool to cut lines into a metal plate. Engraving requires meticulous skill. The artist carefully incises lines to create the image, and the depth and density of these lines determine the tonal range and texture of the print. Look at how Fokke uses hatching and cross-hatching to render the forms of the figures and landscape, creating a sense of depth and volume in the scene. The fine lines of the engraving also give the image a crispness and precision. In the 18th century, engravings like this were often made for book illustrations or as reproductions of paintings. They were a key part of the distribution of images in a pre-photographic era. While engraving is labor-intensive, it allowed for the creation of multiple copies, making art more accessible to a wider audience. The very act of engraving, a process of patient labor and skillful execution, gives this print its unique character. It is an object that bridges the worlds of fine art and craft.