Jozef wordt door zijn broers uit de put getrokken 1630 - 1654

This print, titled "Jozef wordt door zijn broers uit de put getrokken", was made by Salomon Savery sometime in the 17th century. The technique used here is engraving, a printmaking process that involves incising an image onto a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The image is rendered through labor-intensive, repetitive marks. Look closely, and you'll see that the material directly influences the artwork's appearance. The incised lines create a network of textures, defining forms and suggesting depth. The weight of the lines determines the tonal values, with denser areas appearing darker, and lighter areas where lines are sparse. Engraving has a long history, associated with skilled craftspeople. But during this period, printmaking was also closely tied to the rise of capitalism. Prints were relatively affordable and could be widely distributed. The making process, in this context, raises questions about labor, class, and the relationship between art, commerce, and religion. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between craft and fine art.