Minerva beschermt drie Deugden 1668 - 1670

Gerard de Lairesse created this print, 'Minerva beschermt drie Deugden'– or Minerva Protecting Three Virtues – using etching and engraving techniques. The fineness of the lines and the control of tone suggest the considered labor that went into its production. Look closely, and you will see how the printmaking processes informed the aesthetics of the image. De Lairesse would have used sharp tools to carefully cut into a metal plate, creating lines that hold ink. These marks give form to Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, as she protects the three virtues. The linear qualities of the engraving, with their crisp precision, stand in contrast to the painterly effects often favored in fine art. The print is not only an aesthetic object, but also an artifact of craft and industry. The etcher, the engraver, and the printer all brought specific skills to its making. By attending to the means of production, we gain a richer understanding of the creative practices involved, and challenge conventional hierarchies of art and craft.