St. John the Baptist n.d.

Martin Schongauer created this print of Saint John the Baptist using the exacting technique of engraving. This was around 1480, when printmaking was still a relatively new technology. The image begins with a metal plate, likely copper. Schongauer would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into the metal. The depth and spacing of these lines determine how much ink the plate will hold, and therefore the darkness of the printed line. Look closely, and you can see how Schongauer varied the marks to create a sense of light and shadow, and to describe textures, like the saint’s curly hair and the lamb he holds. Printmaking at this time was a laborious, skilled practice, not yet industrialized. Schongauer was one of the first artists to fully exploit the potential of engraving, both as a means of artistic expression and a portable commodity, demonstrating the incredible skill involved in this process.