Old Woman with a Brazier, after Rubens 1743 - 1797

This mezzotint, "Old Woman with a Brazier, after Rubens," was made by Pierre François Basan in the 18th century. The mezzotint process is laborious, using a tool called a rocker to create thousands of tiny dots on a copper plate. The plate is then smoothed to create lighter areas, demanding intense labor and skill. It's a world away from Rubens's painterly approach; Basan's print offers an aesthetic experience rooted in the qualities of mass production. The choice of mezzotint speaks volumes. Unlike the unique gesture of painting, printmaking democratized art, making images available to a broader audience. But this accessibility came at the cost of intensive labor and the potential exploitation of skilled artisans. The print hints at the complex relationship between art, labor, and the burgeoning capitalist market of the time. So, next time you look at a print, think about the hands that made it and the social context that shaped its creation. It's a reminder that even seemingly simple images carry complex stories of materials, making, and the world around us.