Bovenlichaam van een vrouw 1528 - 1573

Etienne Delaune made this small print, "Bovenlichaam van een vrouw," or "Bust of a Woman," in the mid-16th century, using the technique of engraving. The print’s intricate details were achieved by carefully incising lines into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin. This skilled and laborious process allowed Delaune to create a design with remarkable precision, characterized by fine lines and tonal variations. The material itself influences the artwork's appearance. The smoothness of the metal plate enables the creation of sharp, clear lines, while the depth of the incisions determines the amount of ink held and transferred to the paper, resulting in a range of shades and textures. Engraving was a crucial technique for disseminating images and ideas during the Renaissance, making art accessible to a wider audience. This print, with its decorative style, reflects the period’s taste for ornamentation, demonstrating how the making and materials used give this object its cultural and historical significance, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.