Susanna en de ouderlingen c. 1630 - 1687

This print, "Susanna en de ouderlingen," was made by an anonymous artist, using engraving – a highly skilled intaglio process, in which lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The image is entirely dependent on the engraver's control over the burin, the tool used to cut into the copper. Notice how the variations in line weight and density are used to describe form, texture, and shadow. The meticulous process speaks to the value placed on technical mastery within the printmaking tradition. Yet, in the absence of a known author, the labor and social status of the printmaker remain ambiguous, unlike the celebrated artists of painting or sculpture. The print serves as a potent reminder that even within the realm of art, questions of labor, skill, and social context are paramount to understanding the full story of an artwork. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.