Tablet met vrouw met kransen 1697

This “Tablet with woman with kransen” was made by an anonymous artist. It is an engraving, which means that the artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines into a metal plate, likely copper. Ink is then applied to the plate, and the surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see the crisp, precise lines that define the figures and ornamentation. The process is labor-intensive, requiring careful planning and skilled execution, something typically associated with printmaking of the era. The choice of engraving speaks to broader issues of production and consumption in its time. Prints like these would have been relatively affordable, making art accessible to a wider audience. This contrasts with unique works, like paintings or sculptures, available only to the wealthy elite. The implications of this seemingly simple print are profound, challenging traditional hierarchies of artistic value, and expanding our understanding of art’s social role.