H. Sebastiaan 1608 - 1688

This is Claude Mellan’s ‘H. Sebastiaan,’ an engraving of modest size made sometime before 1688. Mellan was a master of line, and here he uses its potential to the fullest. Engraving is a printmaking technique that involves incising an image onto a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. What's remarkable about Mellan's approach is the degree of control he exerted over the burin, the tool used to cut the lines. Notice how each one swells and tapers, creating an illusion of light and shadow. Mellan’s H. Sebastiaan is a demonstration of skill, a tour de force of manual dexterity. This wasn't just about replicating an image, but also a testament to the labor and artistry involved in the process. It elevates printmaking from mere reproduction to a form of high art. Mellan’s work reminds us that true artistic mastery lies in understanding and celebrating the potential of a chosen material.