Twee scènes uit het leven van koning Lodewijk IX 1729 - 1733

This print depicting two scenes from the life of King Louis IX was made by Dominique Sornique in the mid-18th century. It is a fascinating example of engraving, a printmaking technique that involves cutting a design into a metal plate, inking the incisions, and then pressing the plate onto paper. The linear quality of the print is determined by the engraver's skill in wielding the burin, the tool used to carve the image into the metal. Notice how Sornique has created tone and shadow, not by shading, but by varying the density and weight of the lines. Prints such as this one played a vital role in disseminating images and ideas in the 18th century, acting as a means of mass communication. This allowed the stories of Kings like Louis IX to be circulated, reinforcing social and political norms. By understanding the material and the process, we come to appreciate the print not only as a work of art, but also as a historical artifact.