The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew 1690s

Michel Corneille the Younger created this print, The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew, sometime in the 17th century, using etching and engraving. The linear quality of the etching captures the drama of Saint Andrew’s crucifixion, focusing our attention to the labor involved, both in the act of martyrdom and the artistry required to depict it. Look closely, and you'll see how the engraved lines define the forms, creating a sense of depth and texture. The printmaking process itself would have involved skilled labor: the careful application of acid to the metal plate, the precise cutting of lines, and the physical act of printing. In its time, the print would have served as a means of disseminating religious imagery, a vital task in the social fabric of seventeenth-century France. We can see how the printmaking process is deeply embedded in the social, cultural, and economic context of its time. The artistry is intrinsically linked to the modes of production and consumption of the era.