Saint Jerome with the Angel 1521

Sebald Beham created this print of Saint Jerome and the Angel in 1521, using the technique of engraving. The image is formed by thousands of tiny cuts into a metal plate, each one carefully placed to create lines and areas of tone. See how the density of the lines creates the illusion of shadow, defining the forms of the figures and their surroundings. Engraving demanded immense skill and patience, requiring the artist to master the use of specialized tools and techniques. Beham's mastery is evident in the incredible detail and precision of the lines, which bring the scene to life with remarkable clarity. Prints like this were luxury goods, a product of the early modern economy. They allowed for the dissemination of images and ideas to a wider audience, contributing to the growth of visual culture and shaping popular beliefs. Considering the labor and the networks of exchange that were involved in its production, we see how "craft" was always also deeply embedded in broader social and economic realities.