Achilles ondergedompeld in de Styx 1724

This print, Achilles Dipped in the Styx, was created by Bernard Baron in the 18th century using engraving. Engraving is an intaglio process, which involves incising an image onto a metal plate. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Paper is then pressed against the plate, transferring the image. This technique requires skill and precision, demanding careful handling of tools to achieve the desired level of detail. The stark contrast and fine lines are characteristic of engraving. The medium lends itself well to reproducing classical scenes like this one. Prints like these were often made in multiples, and sold relatively cheaply, making art and stories accessible to a broader audience. So, while Baron was a skilled artist, his work was also very much a part of a larger economy of reproduction and distribution. This speaks to how “high art” and “craft” were often intertwined, serving diverse purposes in society.