Bladranken met bloemen en adelaar before 1696

This print, titled "Bladranken met bloemen en adelaar" which translates to "Foliage with flowers and eagle" by Pietro Cerini, is made from engraving on paper. It’s a symmetrical design, packed with detail. You can see the unmistakable mark of the engraver’s hand. A sharp tool, guided with great precision, digs into a metal plate. The pressure, the angle, the depth of the cut – all these choices determine the quality of the line. This plate would then be inked and printed, transferring the image onto paper. Engraving has long been a reproductive medium, used to disseminate images widely. Think about how prints like this one helped to spread design ideas in the past. Far from being just a neutral carrier of information, the quality of the engraving – the skill and labor involved – also contributed to the perceived value and desirability of the design. Considering the material and processes involved in its creation allows us to appreciate the artistry of the engraver, and also to understand the cultural significance of prints in spreading design ideas.