Drie putti met wapenrusting 1525 - 1580

This print of three putti with armour was made by an anonymous artist using an engraving technique. The fineness of the lines speaks to the engraver's skill; it is through the density and direction of these marks that the forms of the putti are modeled. The lines are all the more remarkable given the small size of the print, only 46 mm high by 31 mm wide. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning that lines are cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The technique demands great precision and control, and it would have taken considerable time to create this image. It is fascinating to consider the labour involved in the production of prints like this, which were often made in multiples and distributed widely. Prints like this one challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, reminding us of the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.