Spring 1617 - 1634

This is “Spring,” an engraving made around the 17th century by Magdalena van de Passe. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning the image is incised into a plate, likely made of copper. Van de Passe would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines into the metal, a painstaking process demanding great skill. The depth and proximity of the lines determine the tones in the print, which are rendered in great detail here. Look at the textures of the figures’ clothing, or the soft fleece of the sheep at the lower left – all created by hand. Then consider the wider context: printmaking in the 17th century was a vital industry, employing many skilled artisans. Prints made images and ideas widely available, functioning almost like a form of social media. The value of this particular print lies not just in its artistry, but in its connection to broader networks of labor, skill, and circulation. It's a reminder that art never exists in isolation, but is always embedded in the world of materials and making.