Maria met kind in stralenkrans 1500 - 1575

This print, "Maria met kind in stralenkrans," was made by an anonymous artist. Its medium is engraving, a process involving meticulously cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then pressing paper against it to transfer the image. The very fine parallel lines create a sense of volume and shadow. The way this print was made influences our understanding of it. The engraved lines build up to create depth and texture, particularly in the folds of Mary’s drapery and the soft curves of the infant Jesus. This technique requires a high degree of skill and control. Engravings like this were often produced in multiples, making religious imagery accessible to a wider audience. Consider the labor involved in creating each print, and the role of the artist as a skilled artisan. The material and the making, far from being neutral, invest the image with social and cultural significance.