Design for a Plate with Neptune in a Shell Drawn by Horses in a Medallion Bordered by Sea Monsters 1595 - 1605

This print, depicting Neptune in a shell drawn by horses, was made by Adriaen Collaert around the turn of the 17th century, using engraving. This was an intaglio process, where the image is incised into a metal plate, traditionally copper. The plate is covered in ink, then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. High pressure is then used to transfer the image to a sheet of paper. As you can see, the result is a very fine level of detail. Prints like this, were relatively cheap to produce and could be circulated widely, influencing taste, disseminating knowledge, and popularizing particular styles. They played a crucial role in the visual culture of the period. Think of it as the Instagram of its day! This particular example also reminds us that craftsmanship wasn't just about unique objects, but also about the efficient reproduction and distribution of images.