Personificatie van de goddelijke vrijheid

This small print, Personification of Divine Freedom, was made by Joannes Bemme, likely in the early 19th century. Bemme was a Dutch engraver, meaning that this image was made by carefully incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing paper against it. The figure represented is classicizing – with a Roman-style dress and helmet. She holds a staff topped with what’s called a “liberty cap.” The print’s radiant lines suggest a divine aura. Notice the way the engraved lines create a play of light and shadow, adding depth and volume to the figure. Prints like this were produced in multiples, and served as a means of circulating ideas. The concept of freedom was very much in the air at this time, with the echoes of the French Revolution still resonating. The act of engraving involves intense labor and skill. By focusing on the material and the making, we can appreciate how this small artwork is rooted in a rich history of creative practices, and tied to wider social and political concerns.