Naked Man Tied Up 

Peter Paul Reubens made this print, "Naked Man Tied Up," using the intaglio printmaking technique. It’s a process that requires physical strength and precise skill. A metal plate, likely copper, is meticulously engraved with lines to create the image. This is done with a tool called a burin. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, damp paper is pressed against the plate with a printing press, transferring the image. Look closely, and you’ll see the network of fine lines that define the figure’s musculature and the texture of the tree. This demonstrates a mastery of the burin and an intimate understanding of light and shadow. The act of engraving is labor-intensive, demanding hours of focused work. In Reubens’ time, prints like this were a vital part of the art market. They allowed for the wide dissemination of images, and were therefore a source of income for artists and printmakers. This print thus sits at the intersection of artistic expression and the economics of art production.