Christus in de hof van Getsemane 1594 - 1598

Jacob Matham made this print, "Christus in de hof van Getsemane," using an engraving technique. The process begins by carving lines into a metal plate with a tool called a burin. Ink is then applied to the plate, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Notice the incredibly fine lines that define every form, from the rocks and trees to the figures' draperies. The density of these marks creates areas of dark shading, while their absence allows for highlights. This painstaking method, requiring immense skill and patience, allowed Matham to create a complex composition. Consider the labor involved in producing such a print. Each line represents a deliberate mark, a testament to the engraver's hand and eye. In a time before mechanical reproduction, this print offered a way to disseminate religious imagery, making it accessible to a wider audience. By understanding the material and the making process, we can appreciate the artistic choices and the social context that shaped this powerful image, moving beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.