Liefde richt haar pijl op de bruid 1574

This engraving, “Liefde richt haar pijl op de bruid” was created by Wierix around the turn of the 17th century. It is a very small work, printed from an engraved metal plate. Look closely, and you can see the incredible detail that Wierix was able to achieve with this technique. The crispness of the lines gives the image its visual power, with each figure clearly delineated. Notice how the cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and shadow. The image itself depicts a classical scene with figures of virtues. We see the labor-intensive process of engraving that was highly valued for its precision, its reproducibility, and for circulating images widely in an era before photography. The prints such as this one, were the means of disseminating visual ideas, political messages, and artistic styles. They were the social media of their day. When we consider this print, it is important to remember that materials, making, and context are all essential to understanding its full meaning. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.