Ovaal, geflankeerd door twee engelen 1528 - 1573

Etienne Delaune created this tiny engraving, "Ovaal, geflankeerd door twee engelen" using a burin on metal, likely copper, in the 16th century. The process of engraving is painstaking, requiring immense skill to incise lines into the metal plate that will hold ink and transfer the image to paper. The density of fine lines is especially apparent, demanding controlled hand movements and an understanding of light and shadow. The engraved lines create a texture that enlivens the composition, contrasting the black ink with the white paper. Delaune wasn't just an artist but also an "inventor," as the print declares. He was involved in the industrialization of art, creating reproducible images that spread ideas and styles widely. In his skilled hands, craft and design met the demands of a changing world. This small artwork encapsulates a moment when labor, skill, and burgeoning capitalism intertwined, bridging the gap between artistry and wider social contexts.