Koning Arsaces tracht een luipaard te temmen 1594 - 1598

This engraving, Koning Arsaces tracht een luipaard te temmen, was made by Jan Collaert the Younger around the turn of the 17th century. Collaert used the intaglio process, cutting lines into a copper plate that then held ink. The depicted scene shows a king attempting to tame a leopard. The printmaking process is crucial here. It is the means by which Collaert circulated this image widely. Copperplate engraving was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process, demanding precision and control. Yet, it enabled the mass production of images, fueling a growing market for prints. This print highlights the power and status of royalty, but its very existence is tied to broader economic forces. Consider how the visual language of the piece—the flowing lines and intricate detail—is directly informed by the capabilities and limitations of the engraving process. Here, the medium shapes the message, blurring the lines between craftsmanship, artistry, and commerce.