Geweigerde brief 1668 - 1677

Wallerant Vaillant created this mezzotint, titled ‘Geweigerde brief,’ meaning ‘Refused Letter’, sometime in the 17th century. Mezzotint is a printmaking process that relies on subtle gradations of tone. The metal plate is roughened evenly to create a burr, allowing ink to hold and print as solid black. The artist then smooths or scrapes away the burr to create lighter areas in the image. Vaillant was a master of this technique, evident in the nuanced depiction of light and shadow here. Look closely at the textures he was able to achieve - from the soft fabric of the woman’s gown to the polished surfaces of the objects on the table. The labor-intensive nature of mezzotint, with its reliance on handcraft, stands in contrast to the subject matter: a fraught social exchange. The rejection of the letter, a symbol of communication, is rendered with the utmost refinement. Vaillant brings a painterly quality to printmaking through the intense skill and care in the mezzotint process. This reminds us of the value in considering materials and making as central to art’s meaning.