LI Lootsmans water 1614

This engraving, dating from around 1600, is by the Dutch artist Roemer Visscher. As you can see, it's an image made from very basic means: lines cut into a metal plate, which would then have been inked and printed onto paper. But don’t be fooled by this simplicity. The image is full of meaning, most of which is encoded in the making process itself. Notice the fine, regular lines, all oriented in the same direction to create a sense of shadow and form, and the crispness of the printed impression. These features speak to a highly disciplined method, requiring considerable skill and labor. Engravings like this one were typically reproduced in multiples, used for instruction, or as pages in books. This one comes from a book of emblems. Look closely, and you’ll see that the image features a heart pierced by an arrow and set aflame, evoking the passions of love, but also the dangers of recklessness. The artist’s method mirrors that message. Just as the engraver must proceed with care and precision, so too must we navigate the complexities of love and life.