Oordeel van Paris 1609 - 1659

This print, ‘Oordeel van Paris’, was made by an anonymous artist using the process of engraving. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning that the image is incised into a metal plate, usually copper. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into the plate's surface. Ink is then applied to the plate and wiped off, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto a sheet of paper, transferring the image. The stark contrast between light and shadow achieved through the precise, deliberate lines of the engraving, demonstrate a high level of technical skill. This process allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images, contributing to the spread of knowledge and artistic ideas. The very nature of a print implies distribution, commerce, and a desire for the democratization of images. It allows for an engagement beyond the elite circles of art collectors. Consider how the artist's labor, translated into the intricate lines on the plate, ultimately connects to broader social and economic systems.