Presentatie van Maria 1570

Cornelis Cort created this print, Presentatie van Maria, sometime before 1578 through the process of engraving. This intaglio printmaking technique involves cutting a design into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then pressing paper against it to transfer the image. The stark contrast and fine lines you see are characteristic of engraving, achieved through skilled manipulation of tools to create varying depths and thicknesses of lines. Notice the textures, from the flowing robes to the architectural details, all rendered through precise, laborious work. In Cort’s time, printmaking was not only an artistic endeavor but also a crucial means of disseminating images and ideas widely. The labor-intensive nature of engraving, in a sense, mirrors the values of the scene depicted. It invites us to appreciate the skill and effort involved in its production. Considering the artistry and social context of printmaking encourages us to reconsider traditional hierarchies between art and craft.