Trap des Levens 1642 - 1665

Pieter Nolpe made this print, "Trap des Levens", sometime in the 17th century, using etching and engraving. These are intaglio processes, meaning that lines are incised into a metal plate, and then filled with ink. The ink is then transferred to paper under great pressure, resulting in an image with remarkable detail. Look closely, and you'll see how Nolpe used this technique to full effect, to depict the stages of a woman's life as a series of steps. Note the sharp contrast between the dark, deeply etched lines and the lighter areas, which gives the print a striking visual impact. The print medium itself speaks to the rise of the printing press as a force of mass communication, and the increasing availability of images to a wider audience. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed work, from the initial drawing to the painstaking process of etching and printing. This reminds us that even seemingly simple images are the result of skilled craftsmanship and careful production, and are deeply embedded in their own time. This print is not just an image, but an object that carries with it the traces of its own making.