Piro houdt de kleine Arlequin aan de leiband 1720 - 1728

This print, titled ‘Piro houdt de kleine Arlequin aan de leiband,’ was made anonymously using an engraving technique. The stark contrast between the dark lines and the light paper is what gives the image its form. The engraver would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, likely copper. Ink is then applied to the plate, and wiped off the surface, leaving ink only in the incised lines. The plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The image's power resides in its depiction of social hierarchy. It's difficult to ignore the way the scene portrays power dynamics through the figures and their relationships. The labor involved in producing the print is a stark contrast to the social relations it depicts. Ultimately, understanding this print requires acknowledging both the artistry of its making and the social context in which it was created and consumed. This reminds us that even seemingly simple images can carry complex cultural meanings.