Maria met Kind omringd door engelen in een landschap met fonteinen 1647 - 1714

This print of Mary and the Christ Child surrounded by angels in a landscape with fountains, was made by Sébastien Leclerc I. As an engraving, this artwork is a testament to the engraver's craft. Leclerc has used a burin to carve lines into a copper plate, the depth and density of these marks determine the tonal range of the final print. This meticulous process demands both skill and patience. Engraving has a long history, traditionally valued for its precision and detail. In Leclerc’s time, it would have been used for reproducing images, disseminating information, and spreading artistic ideas. The image has been multiplied and consumed by a wide audience. Consider the labor involved, from the mining of the copper to the craftsmanship required. Appreciating the materiality and production provides insight into the image's cultural and social significance.