Mercury 

Sebald Beham’s “Mercury” was made sometime in the first half of the 16th century with a metal plate, likely copper, and acid. Beham was one of the “Little Masters,” German printmakers who distinguished themselves with minutely detailed, small-scale engravings. Here, his mastery is evident in the tight hatching and cross-hatching, which create a full range of tones. Notice how the burins meticulously followed the design, capturing the textures of each scene. The engraving portrays Mercury in the heavens, overseeing the labor of artisans down below. We see a printmaker at his press, a glassblower crafting a vessel, and other merchants and manufacturers hard at work. Every detail is rendered with care, highlighting the value of human effort and ingenuity. The mode of production really shaped the image, literally. The intaglio process allowed for multiple impressions to be made, widely disseminating Beham’s vision of a world driven by craft and commerce. This artwork challenges traditional notions of value, elevating the status of craft and labor within the broader cultural landscape.