Rape of a Woman by a Satyr 1530

Heinrich Aldegrever made this engraving, *Rape of a Woman by a Satyr*, sometime in the first half of the 16th century. Its lines were etched into a copper plate using acid, which bit into the metal. The plate was then inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the design. Engraving like this was a highly skilled craft. The precision required suggests a deep understanding of metallurgy and printmaking. The stark contrast and fine detail Aldegrever achieved highlight his mastery of the medium. Back then, prints like these were essentially prototypes for mass production. They allowed artists to circulate their ideas widely. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, this print also reflects a specific social context, with potent gender dynamics. By focusing on the material and process, we can see how Aldegrever’s skills intersected with the world around him.