Martelaarschap van de heilige Sebastiaan 1634 - 1693

Jonas Umbach created this print of The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian in the 17th century, working with etching techniques on paper. The stark contrast of the ink creates the scene's dramatic lighting. Look closely, and you’ll notice the network of fine lines, each carefully bitten into the metal plate with acid, then printed. Umbach would have meticulously layered these lines to build up tone and texture, creating the illusion of depth and form. The etching process, while indirect, allowed for a level of detail that demanded time, skill, and labor. In a world of mass production, handmade prints like this offer a direct connection to the artist's hand and the social context of their making. Appreciating the artistic skill involved invites us to move beyond simply seeing the image, and instead think about the conditions of its production.