Death of Frederick I of Germany 

Gustave Dore created this engraving of The Death of Frederick I of Germany. It is a reminder that all materials, even those of artmaking, are rooted in everyday life. The lines were incised into a metal plate, likely copper or steel, with incredible skill. This was a highly specialized craft, requiring years of training. The plate would then have been inked, and pressed onto paper. This is where the economics of the image come in. Engravings like this were made to be reproduced, sold, and widely disseminated. It was a commercial art, produced for a mass market, and intended for a middle-class audience hungry for dramatic, historical images. Dore’s skill, combined with the efficiency of printmaking, allowed him to reach a vast audience. It is a compelling example of how craft and industrial production intersect.