Grafmonument van Remigius du Laury 1679

This print of a tomb monument for Remigius du Laury was created by Franz Ertinger, probably in the late 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning the design was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, then inked and pressed onto paper. The image displays a highly ornate architectural structure, bristling with figural details. What makes this print so compelling is the sharp contrast between the monument's grandeur and the relative ease of its production. The print could be multiplied and circulated widely, making the monument, and by extension, the person it commemorates, visible to many. Consider the labor involved: Ertinger had to be skilled not only in draftsmanship but also in the precise, physically demanding work of engraving. His expertise made it possible to transform stone sculpture into a readily disseminated image, raising questions about value, labor, and access in the art world of the period. This print challenges the hierarchy between unique artworks and their reproductions, inviting us to consider the social dimensions of art and craft.