Laatste Avondmaal 1590 - 1638

This print of The Last Supper was made by an anonymous artist using the technique of engraving. An image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and used to make a print on paper. The material qualities of the print – its sharp lines and tonal range, made by controlled cuts into the metal – are critical to its visual impact. The amount of work involved in producing this print, from conception to completion, reflects the cultural value placed on religious art and its dissemination through printmaking. While printmaking allowed for wider distribution of images, it also involved specialized labor and skills. The engraver had to be proficient in drawing, metalworking, and printing techniques, highlighting a complex relationship between art, craft, and the burgeoning print industry. The visual language of this print is rooted in traditions of fine art, yet its production and distribution situate it within broader social and economic contexts, underscoring the integral role of making in shaping artistic and cultural meaning.