Drie apostelen Filippus, Bartolomeüs en Judas Taddeüs 1568

Pieter van der Heyden made this engraving of three apostles in the mid-16th century. The image is made by incising lines into a copper plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely, and you'll notice the crisp, precise lines that define the figures and their drapery. These lines are not spontaneous gestures, but the result of patient, skilled labor. Notice the shading, achieved by hatching and cross-hatching, a technique demanding meticulous control. Each mark contributes to the overall image, creating a sense of depth and volume. The act of engraving was a skilled trade, positioned between artistic expression and mechanical reproduction. Van der Heyden's image embodies this tension, and invites us to consider the value of skilled craftsmanship in a world increasingly dominated by industrial modes of production. This work is not just a religious image, but a testament to human skill and the power of reproducible media.