Ornamentele cartouches met vier oudtestamentische profeten als prefiguraties van Christus 1585

This print, made by Gerard de Jode, is a copperplate engraving. It depicts Old Testament prophets, prefiguring Christ. Engraving is an indirect process: the image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed, transferring the design to paper. Look closely, and you'll see how the varying line weights create a sense of depth and shadow. This was achieved by carefully controlling the pressure and angle of the engraver’s burin – a handheld steel cutting tool. Engraving was not only a means of artistic expression, but a way to reproduce images on a mass scale. This print would have circulated widely, spreading religious ideas and imagery. The labor involved in the production, from the mining of copper to the skilled work of the engraver, reflects the economic systems of the time. It also challenges our notions of the “fine art” object, as this printed image was intended for a broad audience.