Chilperik I bezoekt Fredegonde 1731

Bernard Picart created this engraving, "Chilperik I bezoekt Fredegonde," in the early 18th century. With the engraving technique, a design is etched into a metal plate, typically copper. Ink is then applied and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines, and printed. The sharp, precise lines give the scene a crisp, detailed quality, while the cross-hatching adds depth and shading, creating volume on the figures and architectural details. In Picart’s time, prints like this were essential for disseminating information and stories across Europe. The relative ease and cost-effectiveness of printmaking meant that images could reach a broad audience, a kind of visual journalism. Consider the labor involved: from the engraver meticulously working the plate, to the printer producing numerous copies, and distributors getting the images into circulation. By understanding the materials and processes, we can appreciate the vital role this print played in circulating visual culture and shaping public perceptions.