Faam gedragen door Pegasus 1721

This image, made by Bernard Picart, is an engraving, a printmaking technique with a long and rich history. The image is made by carefully cutting lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Picart would have used a tool called a burin to carve those lines, a painstaking process requiring immense skill. Notice how the density and direction of the lines create shading and texture, bringing the scene to life. Engraving was crucial for disseminating images widely in an era before photography. Prints like this one were used to illustrate books, spread news, and circulate artistic ideas. The labor invested in each plate made them valuable commodities, and printmakers like Picart played a key role in shaping visual culture. So, next time you encounter a print, consider the work and artistry that went into its making and its role in the circulation of knowledge and taste.