Huwelijk van Isaak en Rebekka (blad 2) 1599 - 1645

This print, depicting the Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca, was created by Gijsbert Van Veen around the turn of the 17th century. It's an engraving, which means the artist used a tool called a burin to carve lines into a copper plate. Ink was then applied to the plate, and the excess wiped away, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Finally, the plate was pressed onto paper. Consider the labor involved. Each line, each shadow, meticulously carved by hand. The artist's skill is evident in the details, from the folds of the clothing to the expressions on the faces. Printmaking like this was a painstaking process, demanding precision and patience. This wasn't just a technical exercise, though. The print served a purpose. It was a means of disseminating imagery, making art accessible to a wider audience. Prints like this helped to spread ideas. It was a commercial endeavor, connecting artists to the market. In its lines we can consider the relationship between art, labor, and the burgeoning economy of early modern Europe.