Zuivering van Maria en presentatie van Christus in de tempel 1670 - 1682

Melchior Küsel made this engraving, "Purification of Mary and Presentation of Christ in the Temple," sometime in the 17th century. It’s made using a printmaking technique called etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate. Notice how the clarity of the engraved lines makes the image crisp and precise. This meticulous approach is perfect for depicting the architectural details and complex narrative scene of the composition. But here's what's interesting: while the image depicts a sacred moment, the *making* of the print was a decidedly secular, even industrial activity. Küsel would have been part of a workshop, with assistants helping to prepare the plates, apply the acid, and run the printing press. So, in a way, this image speaks to the rise of capitalism and the division of labor in the early modern period. Next time you see a print, consider the many hands involved in its creation, and how that labor shapes our understanding of the image itself.