Lambert Melisz. vlucht met zijn moeder in een slee over het ijs, 1574 1700 - 1702

This print, made anonymously around 1574, shows Lambert Melisz fleeing with his mother on a sled over the ice. It's made using engraving, a printmaking process where lines are cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The power of this image lies in its linear quality. The network of fine lines create tone, texture, and dramatic intensity. Notice how the engraver varies the density and direction of the lines to evoke the smoke, figures, and the rough texture of the tree bark. This was skilled work requiring years of training. Beyond technique, the image also speaks to the difficult social conditions of the time. The dramatic scene depicts a family fleeing a burning building, highlighting themes of conflict and survival, but done in a humble, vernacular language. By focusing on the materials, making, and historical context, we can appreciate the full meaning of this compelling print, and look beyond conventional notions of fine art.