The Virgin holding the infant Christ, after Reni, counterproof 1715 - 1775

Johann Christoph Winkler created this counterproof print, depicting the Virgin and Child, sometime in the 18th century. Counterproofs like this were made by running a freshly printed image through a press again, effectively creating a mirror image. Look closely, and you’ll notice how Winkler employed this technique to capture the delicate lines and subtle tonal variations of the original. These prints were not just copies; they were interpretations, relying on the skilled hand of the printmaker to bring new life to existing compositions. Consider the labor involved: the meticulous work of incising the plate, inking it, and then carefully transferring the image. Printmaking was a laborious and skilled activity, yet it also made images more accessible. It democratized art, spreading it far beyond the circles of wealthy patrons. It challenges any hierarchy separating fine art and craft.