Saint Cecilia playing the organ with two putti at right 1626 - 1636

Willem Panneels made this print of Saint Cecilia in the 17th century, using the exacting process of etching. Note the incredible precision of the lines, creating a range of tonal effects. This wasn't a quick job. The etcher would have painstakingly layered lines to create darker areas, and used a burnishing tool to lighten others. The labor involved is part of the print's meaning. The choice of etching, rather than painting, has social significance too. Prints allowed images to be disseminated widely and cheaply, and in multiples. This meant that Saint Cecilia was no longer just for the wealthy, but for a broader audience, reflecting the growing importance of a middle class with an appetite for art. Considering the materials and processes, we begin to understand the changing role of art in society. The means of making had as much to say as the image itself, and challenges distinctions between artistic craft and fine art.