Heilige Paula van Rome als kluizenares 1590 - 1662

This print depicts Saint Paula of Rome as a hermit, and was made anonymously using engraving. Here, the graphic quality of the engraved lines influence its appearance, creating areas of light and shadow with carefully etched marks. Think about how the engraver would have used tools, skills, and traditions, alongside that of fine arts, to create the image we see here. They must have been very precise and careful, because engraving is a subtractive process; once a line is made, it can't be erased. Consider also the context of devotional prints like this one. They were made in multiples, so that many people could have access to them. Engraving relies on specialized labor and complex economic systems, and yet is often considered a 'minor' art compared to painting or sculpture. But looking closely at the material qualities and processes reveals its true importance.