Slapende Amor 1690 - 1739

Theodor Vercruys made this print of Slapende Amor, sometime around the late 17th and early 18th century. The primary material here is the copper plate itself, and the skilled labor that went into incising it. Look closely, and you can see the fine lines that define the cherubic figure of Cupid. Vercruys was working within a well-established tradition, taking inspiration from the paintings of older masters. He was also participating in a complex economy of printmaking. This wasn't just about artistic expression, it was about producing multiples for a growing market. The marks of the engraver’s tools are everywhere, bearing witness to the hand-skills that were so essential to the print trade. The image could be reproduced many times over, but only thanks to the artist’s intimate knowledge of the material. By emphasizing the labor and skill involved, we can appreciate this print not just as a picture, but as a product of its time.