The Raising of Lazarus c. 1576 - 1580

Léonard Gaultier created this print of 'The Raising of Lazarus' using the engraving technique sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The engraved lines are precise, descriptive, and disciplined. Engraving involves cutting lines directly into a metal plate, traditionally copper, using a tool called a burin. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. This intaglio process allowed Gaultier to create multiple, identical images, democratizing art in a way previously unimaginable. Consider the labor involved: each line carefully carved, demanding immense skill and time. The resulting print was not just an image, but a commodity, participating in the burgeoning print market of the era. Gaultier's work exemplifies the intersection of artistic skill, technological innovation, and the evolving economics of art production. This reminds us that even seemingly traditional art forms are deeply enmeshed with social and economic factors.