Matthias 

This print of Saint Matthias was made by Sebald Beham in the first half of the 16th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a copper plate with a tool called a burin, and then printed. Look closely and you'll see that this isn't just a reproduction of an image; it's a translation into a language of graphic marks. The density of lines creates the illusion of shadow and volume. Beham must have had tremendous control and sensitivity. Prints like this were relatively inexpensive at the time. Their rise tracked the emergence of a more widespread visual culture, in which images were no longer the unique prerogative of the elite. The level of labor involved in creating the copper plate was still considerable, but the result could be multiplied many times over. This print of Saint Matthias reflects a shift from unique, handmade works of art to a world of images in circulation. So, considering the materials, making and context is essential to understanding this work and its significance within the history of art.