Apostel Mattheus als pelgrim 1591 - 1629

This print, Apostel Mattheus als pelgrim, was made by Johan Barra around the early 17th century, using etching and engraving techniques. These processes, rooted in craft traditions, involve meticulously incising lines into a metal plate. The plate is then inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The stark contrast and fine lines achieved through etching and engraving give the print its distinctive appearance. The texture of the lines, the depth of the cuts, all contribute to the overall form and feeling. Barra was clearly skilled in these methods, and the production of prints like this one relied on a division of labor within printmaking workshops. Prints like these offered a relatively affordable way to circulate images. They were a key medium for disseminating religious and allegorical content, reflecting the social and political contexts of the time. Considering the labor, materials, and context of production reminds us that even seemingly simple prints were embedded in complex networks of skill, commerce, and belief. This challenges any simple distinction between fine art and craft.