The Falconer and the Lady, from the series Scenes of Daily Life 1490 - 1500

Israhel van Meckenem created this engraving of *The Falconer and the Lady* sometime in the late fifteenth century. The process of engraving involves using a tool called a burin to incise lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed, transferring the design to paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice the incredible amount of labor involved in creating this image. Every line is the result of a deliberate, physical action. These lines define the forms of the figures, and also create texture through hatching and cross-hatching. Van Meckenem has used these techniques to carefully render the sumptuous fabrics, feathered hats, and even the downy plumage of the falcon. Engraving was part of a rising tide of print culture, and this print would have been relatively accessible, catering to a growing merchant class with a taste for luxury. Consider the attention to detail in this print, and the skilled hand that produced it. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple images are the product of complex social and economic forces.