Gelijkenis van de arbeiders in de wijngaard 1767

Etienne Fessard created this print, "Gelijkenis van de arbeiders in de wijngaard", using etching and engraving techniques, sometime in the 18th century. The image, with its stark contrasts of light and shadow, gains its power from the precise, linear nature of the engraved line. It's fascinating to consider how Fessard captured the nuances of light and texture through the meticulous process of incising lines into a metal plate. The sharp, deliberate marks of the engraving tool would have required considerable skill. Looking closely, one can see how the density and direction of the lines create a sense of depth and form, giving shape to the figures and architectural space. The subject is the act of payment, and it’s intriguing how the hard labor of the engraver parallels that of the workers depicted. This print provides a tangible example of how manual skill and labor contribute to both the creation and depiction of value. It invites us to reconsider the relationship between artistic and other forms of production.