Marta leidt Maria Magdalena naar de tempel 1554 - 1572

This print, 'Marta leidt Maria Magdalena naar de tempel' was created by Georg Matheus. The image is full of tonal complexity, due to the way in which Matheus worked the metal plate, building up shades of dark and light. The medium of printmaking has interesting implications; the image could be reproduced in multiples, and made available relatively cheaply. The marks of labor are embedded within the image, and this brings us to the context of artistic production. Matheus must have been a highly skilled and trained practitioner, likely working within a studio system. The level of detail suggests an intense amount of work and skill. Printmaking blurs the boundaries between art and industry; the final object may be regarded as a work of fine art, but it results from a process of technical skill, ingenuity, and painstaking labor. Considering these aspects allows us to deepen our understanding of the images before us.