Nehalennia-altaar 1647

This engraving of a Nehalennia altar was made in the 17th century by Hendrick Danckerts. It depicts a stone altar dedicated to the goddess Nehalennia, a deity venerated in the Roman period, particularly in the coastal regions of the Netherlands and Germany. The print-making process involved skilled labor in design and engraving, translating the three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional image. The lines carved into the plate determine the appearance of the print, influencing its texture and form. This was an industrial process involving specialized tools and the coordinated labor of workshops. The altar itself, as represented in the engraving, speaks to the social and cultural context of its time. Nehalennia was associated with trade, seafaring, and prosperity, reflecting the economic importance of maritime activities in the region. The rediscovery and representation of artifacts like this, speaks to early modern Europe's renewed interest in antiquity and the classical world. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft by highlighting the craftsmanship involved in both the original altar and the engraving.