La Vieille Femme Assise 1605 - 1650

This print, “La Vieille Femme Assise,” or “Seated Old Woman,” was made in the mid-17th century by Jean Morin, using an engraving technique. It is a scene of ruins, with a seated woman in the foreground, and was based on a painting by Cornelis van Poelenburgh. Engraving involves carefully incising lines into a metal plate, often copper, with a tool called a burin, which is pushed across the surface, creating clean, precise furrows. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Paper is then pressed firmly against the plate to transfer the image. This is a very labor-intensive process, requiring intense concentration and skill. The stark contrast created by the engraved lines gives the print a strong sense of depth and texture. It is important to remember that this type of printmaking relies on craft expertise, contrasting it to the more industrialized forms of image production that would follow. Paying attention to the physical making of art gives us insight into the social and economic conditions of its time.