Petrus geneest zieken met zijn schaduw 1639

This print, titled "Petrus geneest zieken met zijn schaduw," was made by Remy Vuibert around the mid-17th century. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, and then printed, leaving behind delicate lines to form the composition. Engraving was a skilled craft, demanding precision and control. Each line required careful planning, and the final effect hinged on the artist's technical mastery. Vuibert has used the technique to create a dramatic scene, where light and shadow play across the figures. The weight and color of the print are influenced by the ink used and the pressure applied during printing. The image is of Saint Peter healing the sick with his shadow, suggesting a world where faith intersects with human suffering. Making prints like these was a labor-intensive activity, part of a broader economy of image production. By considering the social context of its making, and the labor that went into it, we can appreciate it anew.