Ole Worm 1779 - 1781

This print, titled "Ole Worm," was made by J.F. Clemens at an unknown date. It's an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin, then inked and pressed onto paper. The lines are clean and precise. This technique lent itself well to the clear depiction of the subject, an architectural monument. But the medium also has its limits. The monochrome palette and the relative small scale of the print invite us to look closely, and appreciate the artistry and labor invested in its creation. Prints like this one were crucial for disseminating information and ideas, especially in an era before photography. They allowed for the reproduction and distribution of images on a scale previously unimaginable, connecting people across distances through the shared visual experience. Considering the material and the process, we can see how even a seemingly straightforward image like this one is deeply embedded in its historical and cultural moment.