The Last Judgment, from The Passion of Christ, plate 32 1664

"The Last Judgement," made by Grégoire Huret in the 17th century, is an engraving on laid paper. Look closely, and you can see how the artist has used thin lines to create a sense of depth and drama. Engraving is a labor-intensive process: the artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed. The precision required meant a highly skilled artisan was needed, and the prints were produced in multiples, allowing for wider circulation of images and ideas in society. Huret's choice of engraving, rather than painting or sculpture, speaks to the rise of print culture and the ability to disseminate religious narratives to a broader audience. So, when we look at this print, we're not just seeing an image of the Last Judgment. We're seeing the intersection of craft, technology, and social context in early modern Europe. It invites us to think about who had access to art, and how images shaped beliefs and behaviors.