Herodias met het hoofd van Johannes de Doper 1688

This print, Herodias with the Head of John the Baptist, was made by Nicolas Bazin in the late 17th or early 18th century. It is an engraving – a printmaking process that involves cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then pressing it onto paper. The material qualities of this work are important. The stark contrast between light and shadow, achieved through the precise and repetitive action of engraving, lends a dramatic quality. Consider the labor involved in creating this image. Each line was carefully incised by hand, reflecting the engraver's skill and patience. But more than that, think about the social implications of printmaking at the time. It was a technology of mass production, allowing images and ideas to be disseminated widely. In this case, a biblical scene of violence becomes readily available for consumption, turning a moment of historical and religious significance into an object of display, and even desire. So, next time you encounter a print, remember that you’re not just looking at an image, but also at the social and economic networks that made its circulation possible.