The Adoration of the Magi c. 1480 - 1485

This print, The Adoration of the Magi, was made by Master IAM of Zwolle in the late 15th century. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, and then printed. Look closely and you'll see a complex web of fine lines, creating areas of light and shadow, and conveying the textures of skin, cloth, and stone. This was achieved through the skilled use of a burin, a tool that requires immense control and precision. The artist would have worked laboriously on the plate, building up the image line by line. Prints like this were luxury items in their day, but far more accessible than unique paintings. The very nature of printmaking - its capacity for reproduction - meant that images and ideas could circulate more widely. So while the skill involved in creating this engraving puts it in the realm of fine art, it also participated in the burgeoning culture of commerce and consumption.