Martelaarschap van de H. Joris 1658

Willem Paets made this print of the Martyrdom of St. George, using the etching technique. The relatively simple process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into it with a needle, and then bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites away the exposed metal, creating the lines that hold ink, which can then be printed onto paper. The character of the etching process is evident in the proliferation of fine, closely-hatched lines. These communicate the scene’s drama and tonality. The use of printmaking as a medium is itself significant, as prints can be reproduced and widely distributed. The process democratizes the image, making it available to a wider public than a painting, or other unique artwork. In Paet’s time, the wide distribution of religious imagery was a powerful way to disseminate belief. This print, therefore, can be understood as a form of religious labor, enacting faith through the work of art.