Madonna met kind 1618 - 1655

Cornelis Schut made this small etching, *Madonna met kind*, in the 17th century. The image is made through a process that is both graphic and industrial. Schut would have painstakingly etched lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and pressed onto paper. The image we see emerges from this repetitive process, making it possible to produce the image in large numbers. Notice how the varying densities of the etched lines create areas of light and shadow, defining the forms of Mary and the Christ Child. Printmaking like this reflects the rise of a commercial culture, making art more accessible and reproducible. Schut, like many artists of his time, engaged in a form of image-making tied to labor, dissemination, and a growing market for art. Understanding the materials and techniques behind this image reminds us that art is not just about divine inspiration, but also about the skilled application of labor, and its place within a specific social and economic context.