Verdrijving van Heliodorus uit de tempel 1861

Léopold Flameng made this engraving, Verdrijving van Heliodorus uit de tempel, using traditional printmaking techniques. The entire image is built from tiny, precise lines cut into a metal plate. The depth and density of these lines dictate how much ink the plate holds, and thus the tones we see in the print. Flameng would have used specialized tools to achieve the precise and varied marks. This wasn't just about technical skill; it was about understanding how the material of the plate, the tools, and the ink would all interact to create the final image. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed scene through the meticulous process of engraving. In its time, printmaking enabled the wide distribution of images, and these images played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, but the skilled labor needed for the production of each print often goes unnoticed. By appreciating the materiality and the making of this print, we can better understand its historical context, and challenge conventional notions of art.