Heilige Franciscus geneest een zieke vrouw 1740 - 1750

Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre created this print, "Heilige Franciscus geneest een zieke vrouw", using etching, a process that democratized image-making in the 18th century. The linear quality you see comes from the way the image was made. The artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy substance, drawn into it with a needle, and then bathed the plate in acid. This would bite away the exposed lines, leaving an image that could be inked and printed. The real skill is in controlling the depth of the lines through careful timing. Pierre’s delicate, precise hatching creates form and shadow, resulting in a composition that invites close looking. Prints like this, though seemingly humble, played a crucial role in disseminating ideas and images widely. This one allows for devotion, and brings it into many homes, connecting art, craft, and belief in a tangible way.