Christus als twaalfjarige in de tempel 1670 - 1682

Melchior Küsel made this engraving of Christ in the Temple in the 17th century using a technique that democratized image-making. Engraving involves cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, then wiping it clean so that ink remains only in the incised lines. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image transfers. The fine, precise lines you see are the direct result of the engraver's hand. It is a painstaking and highly skilled process. Unlike painting, prints can be made in multiples, which is critical to their social impact. This print would have circulated widely, carrying its religious message far beyond the walls of a church or palace. The very act of making and distributing such images transformed religious experience. So, next time you see an engraving, remember that it's not just a picture, it's a product of labor, a vehicle for ideas, and a testament to the power of accessible art.