Modesty, from The Virtues 1552

This print, "Modesty," was made in the 16th century by Heinrich Aldegrever using the technique of engraving. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning that the image is incised into a surface – in this case, a copper plate – and then filled with ink to be transferred onto paper. It’s a skilled process, demanding control and precision, and was especially popular during the Renaissance for distributing images widely. Think of it as a very early form of mechanical reproduction. Look closely, and you’ll notice the linear quality of the image, achieved by carefully cutting lines into the metal. This technique, while capable of fine detail, also speaks to the labor involved in creating each print. The sharp, clean lines give the image clarity, but also a certain formality. It’s a perfect complement to the subject matter, one of the Christian virtues, and one which, perhaps ironically, could only be communicated through the relatively new medium of print.