Maria treurt bij het dode lichaam van Christus met engelen 1623 - 1660

This print, *Maria treurt bij het dode lichaam van Christus met engelen*, was made by Pieter de Bailliu using engraving. The process of engraving is painstaking, requiring the artist to cut lines into a metal plate, which are then filled with ink and printed. Look closely and you can see the intricate network of lines that create light and shadow, and lend the image its dramatic intensity. The engraver is not unlike a factory worker, repeating the same action over and over. Engraving was a key technology for disseminating images widely, making art accessible to a broader public. In that sense, this image is intimately tied to the rise of capitalism and mass production. It’s worth considering the labor and skill that went into its making, and how this relates to the religious subject matter. The grief of Mary is thus translated through the skill of the engraver. Thinking about materials, making, and context allows us to fully appreciate the artistry and cultural significance of this print. It challenges the traditional divide between fine art and craft, revealing the inherent value in skilled handwork.