Landschap met de dood van de ongehoorzame godsman Possibly 1585 - 1702

Jan van Londerseel created this print, Landschap met de dood van de ongehoorzame godsman, sometime between 1575 and 1625, using an engraving technique. It’s a stark, graphic medium; it's all about the sharp line. The material qualities here – the dark ink, the crispness of the impression on the page – lend themselves to a sense of moral clarity. Londerseel has used cross-hatching and fine strokes to build up a detailed landscape, filled with gnarled trees that dominate the scene. Engraving is an intensive process. The artist uses a tool called a burin to cut lines directly into a metal plate. The plate is then inked, and the ink is caught in the engraved lines. When the plate is pressed against paper, the image is transferred. The precision and control required speak to the engraver’s skill. It is a labor-intensive method well suited to conveying the story of punishment; the unforgiving, etched lines underscore the consequences of disobedience. The print is not just a picture, but evidence of a complex, demanding process, making it all the more powerful.