Eerbetoon aan Justitia 1623 - 1653

Pieter Nolpe’s “Eerbetoon aan Justitia,” made sometime around 1613, is an engraving, a print made from an incised metal plate. Notice how the crisp lines define the figures and their allegorical arrangement. This wasn't just a matter of the artist's hand, but a whole system of craft. The labor of cutting the image into the metal, in reverse no less, would have been highly skilled. From this single matrix, many identical impressions could be made, spreading the image and its message far and wide. The choice of engraving speaks volumes. Unlike painting, with its unique aura, prints were designed for dissemination, perfect for spreading the ideals of justice to a broad public. The very act of making this artwork, a repeatable image, speaks to the democratizing potential inherent in the medium, mirroring the aspirations for a more just society. It reminds us that even seemingly simple artistic choices are laden with social and political meaning.