Libische Sibille before 1608

This engraving of the Libische Sibille was made by Christoffel van Sichem I, sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It's a print, of course, so the material is paper, and the process is one of impressing an inked matrix onto that surface. Look closely, and you can see that the composition is built up from fine lines, hatched and cross-hatched to create areas of tone. The image has a crisp, precise quality; every detail is rendered with care, from the folds of the Sibyl's drapery to the craggy rocks in the background. The very act of engraving speaks to a society that values both technical skill and the mass production of imagery. It’s a process rooted in the division of labor, with specialized craftsmen creating images for a growing market of consumers. While it may seem worlds apart from contemporary digital culture, this print is very much a product of its time, reflecting the rise of capitalism and the increasing commodification of art.