Angels Mourning over the Dead Christ 1685 - 1695

Nicolas Pitau made this engraving, Angels Mourning over the Dead Christ, sometime around the turn of the 18th century. Look closely, and you will see that this wasn't a quick sketch. Pitau meticulously cut thousands of tiny lines into a copper plate, a slow and exacting process. The striking luminosity of the image comes from these marks, which catch the light in different ways. Pitau was a master of tonal variation, building up dense areas of shadow alongside areas of pure white. This was not just a demonstration of technical skill, but also a sophisticated business strategy. Printmaking was big business in Pitau's time, a way of disseminating imagery far and wide. His virtuoso technique would have been recognized by discerning collectors, who prized prints for their quality and nuance. Pitau's work reminds us that so-called fine art relies on skilled making. By appreciating the labor involved, we move beyond conventional distinctions between art and craft.