Aanbidding der herders 

Lucas Vorsterman created this print, "Adoration of the Shepherds," in the 17th century using engraving. This is an intaglio process, where lines are incised into a metal plate, which then holds ink for printing. Look closely, and you can see how Vorsterman varied the density and direction of the lines to create areas of light and shadow, giving the scene depth and texture. The engraver’s skill is evident not only in the rendering of form, but also in the evocation of atmosphere. Engraving demanded meticulous labor. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to manually cut each line into the copperplate. The quality of the print depended on the engraver’s dexterity, control, and the quality of their tools. Vorsterman was a master printmaker, and prints like this one circulated widely, helping to spread artistic ideas and religious narratives. The materiality of the print—the paper, the ink, the very lines themselves—attests to the skilled hand of the artisan, reminding us of the vital role that craft plays in cultural exchange.