Decius Mus vertelt de soldaten over zijn droom 1710 - 1740

Joseph Schmutzer made this engraving, Decius Mus Addressing the Soldiers, sometime between 1683 and 1740. The image is created by incising lines into a metal plate, applying ink, and pressing it onto paper. The density of lines determines the light and shadow. The process results in multiples, which democratizes access to the image, but also relies on skilled labor. Look closely, and you'll notice how the stark black lines create a sense of drama. The figures are defined by the lines, and the details of their armor, faces, and the Roman standards they carry are brought to life. The linear quality gives the scene a sense of urgency, reflecting the story's tension. The image, made by a process of reproduction, illustrates a narrative moment. This layering of reproduction on top of representation is key to understanding its social context, the story of Decius Mus. The printmaking process itself involves labor, skill, and a means of disseminating narratives, reflecting the wider societal structures of its time. In the end, prints such as this challenge any neat separation between art and craft.