Suzanna en de ouderlingen c. 1731

This print, Suzanna en de ouderlingen, was made by Laurent Cars in the 18th century. It’s an engraving, a process where the artist incises lines into a metal plate, applies ink, and then presses paper against the plate to transfer the image. Look closely and you’ll notice that the design is made up of thousands of tiny lines, each carefully etched. Cars was working within a well-established industry. Printmaking allowed images to be reproduced and distributed widely, playing a vital role in disseminating information and artistic ideas across Europe. It allowed more people to have access to art, rather than unique paintings. Printmaking involved a division of labor, with specialized artisans handling different stages of the process. The engraver's skill was highly valued, as they translated an artist’s vision into a reproducible form. The commercial nature of printmaking meant that artists were often responding to market demands, catering to popular tastes and subjects. In this case a story from the bible. Ultimately, this print is a product of its time, reflecting the economic and social structures of 18th-century Europe.