Lamech en zijn gezin 1586

Johann Sadeler I made this engraving, "Lamech en zijn gezin," using metal plates and acid. The process, called etching, involves coating a metal plate with a waxy substance, scratching an image into it, and then bathing the plate in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The deep blacks and fine lines we see here are a direct result of this technique. But why choose engraving? Well, prints like these were a key part of the era's burgeoning industrialization. They allowed images and ideas to circulate widely, acting as a form of mass communication. Notice how the idyllic family scene contrasts with the labor happening in the background. Sadeler was commenting on social structures, and the relationship between humans and the land they inhabit. It asks us to consider the relationship between labor, family, and the wider world. So, next time you see a print, remember it’s not just an image, it’s a product of its time.