Frontispiece to the Bible 1642

This "Frontispiece to the Bible" was made by Claude Mellan sometime in the 17th century, using engraving on laid paper. Look closely, and you’ll see that the entire image is composed of a single, continuous line that spirals out from the center. To create this effect, Mellan would have used a burin to cut into a copper plate, varying the pressure to change the thickness of the line. The density of these lines creates the illusion of light and shadow, giving the figures depth and volume. The technical virtuosity is incredible, but so is the labor involved. Think of the time and skill it took to create this image, line by painstaking line. In the 17th century, printmaking was a crucial means of disseminating images and ideas, bringing art and knowledge to a wider audience. Yet, the intensive labor behind each print also speaks to the social context of artistic production, where skilled artisans played a vital role in shaping cultural and religious narratives. Paying attention to materials, making, and context allows us to fully understand the profound artistic and cultural value of this artwork.