Wolf verleidt geiten c. 1563 - 1583

This tiny print, Wolf verleidt geiten, was made by Conrad Saldörffer using the exacting technique of engraving. The image is made by carving lines into a copper plate, which then holds ink and can be printed, much like a rubber stamp. Look closely, and you'll see how each line is a deliberate mark, carefully placed to create the scene of a wolf preying on goats. The process is laborious and time-consuming, demanding incredible skill. It's a craft tradition that allowed for the mass production of images, fueling the spread of ideas in its time. The artist’s labor is quite apparent here, and while the subject matter of the image isn't directly about labor, the print serves as a reminder of the work involved in making and circulating images. Considering the relationship between craft, production, and storytelling helps us to understand the wider cultural significance of this small but powerful work.