Meisje laat vrouw raden wie haar ogen dichthoudt c. 1820 - 1830

This print, titled "Meisje laat vrouw raden wie haar ogen dichthoudt," was engraved by Levasseur. Engraving is a printing process where lines are incised into a metal plate, which then holds ink to transfer an image. The precision this requires makes the engraver's skill paramount; each mark meticulously placed to build tone and detail. The technique has a long history, evolving from practical applications like printing currency to becoming a favored method for reproducing artworks. This piece probably reproduces an original painting or drawing. Consider the labor involved in creating such an image: the careful cutting, the inking, the pressing. In its time, a print like this would have offered a wider audience access to art, democratizing images beyond the reach of original paintings. It's a fascinating example of how craft and mechanical reproduction intersect, challenging our notions of art's exclusivity.