Vrijende non en monnik 1724

Jacob Gole made this print of a frolicking nun and monk around the turn of the 18th century. The medium is engraving, which involves carefully incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then transferring the image to paper. Look closely, and you can see the complex network of lines that describe the figures. Consider the labor involved; the artist had to possess not only technical skill, but also patience. But engraving was also a reproductive medium, allowing images to be circulated widely. So although hand-made, it also operated within a commercial context. The choice of this medium is important. It allowed Gole to disseminate his satirical commentary on religious life to a broad audience. The relatively low cost of prints meant that even those of modest means could own a piece of art. This brings art, and critique, to a wider public. It challenges traditional hierarchies within the art world, by embracing both handcraft and mass communication.