Kaïn vlucht na de moord op Abel 1665

This print, made by Gerard de Lairesse, shows Cain fleeing after the murder of Abel. The medium used is etching, a printmaking process that involves using acid to cut lines into a metal plate. The image is constructed from a dense web of hatched lines. Notice how the artist has varied the proximity and direction of these marks to create areas of shadow and light. The amount of work involved in creating such an intricate plate must have been considerable, requiring intense focus and manual dexterity. Prints such as these played an important role in the distribution of images. De Lairesse would have relied on skilled printmakers to translate his designs into this format. The image could then be reproduced many times over, and disseminated to a wide audience. Looking closely at the materials and processes used in its making allows us to understand its social and cultural significance more deeply.