Gerechtigheid van keizer Otto III: onthoofding van een onschuldige 1834

This is "Gerechtigheid van keizer Otto III: onthoofding van een onschuldige" made by Charles Onghena, using engraving on paper. Look closely, and you will notice that the line work defines every detail, from the clothing of the figures to the architectural background. Engraving is a painstaking process, which involves using a tool called a burin to incise lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The marks leave a physical trace of the engraver's skilled hand and labor-intensive approach. In this image, Onghena is reproducing a historical scene of injustice. Note the intricate rendering that would have demanded great skill and time. In the context of printmaking, this speaks to broader issues of production, distribution and consumption of images in the 19th century. Ultimately, "Gerechtigheid van keizer Otto III" prompts us to think about how images, even those depicting historical events, are deeply embedded in the social and economic contexts of their making. This reminds us of the value of craft within the broader landscape of art history.