Allegorische voorstelling met figuren uit het Oude Testament 1720

This print, made by Bernard Picart, presents an allegorical scene from the Old Testament. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, then printed. The material qualities of this print—the fineness of the lines, the subtle gradations of tone—speak to Picart’s skill as a printmaker. The process involves immense labor and precision; each line had to be carefully cut into the plate. The ink lies slightly proud of the paper, giving a subtle relief effect you can almost feel with your fingertips. Engravings like these played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge and visual culture in the 18th century. They were a form of mass production, making images accessible to a wider audience than paintings ever could. The act of engraving, therefore, is not just a craft but a form of early industrial production, tied to the rise of print capitalism. Thinking about this artwork through its making helps us recognize the labor, skill, and social context embedded within it, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.