Kruisdraging 1548

Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert made this print of the Kruisdraging, or the Bearing of the Cross. It's made with an engraving technique, a process where the artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate. The material quality of the metal plate is crucial here. Its hardness allows for incredibly fine, precise lines. Look closely and you'll see how Coornhert uses these lines to create a range of textures, from the smooth skin of the figures to the rough-hewn wood of the cross itself. Engraving demanded both artistic skill and physical labor. It required a mastery of tools and a deep understanding of how pressure and angle affect the quality of the line. This print wasn't just about artistic expression; it was also about skillful execution, a testament to Coornhert’s technical prowess. The distribution of prints also speaks to a growing economy of images, reaching a wider audience than painting alone could. So, next time you see an engraving, consider not just the image, but the process, labor, and material that brought it into being.