Slapend meisje bij kaarslicht 1670 - 1713

Pieter Schenk created this print of a sleeping girl by candlelight sometime between 1670 and 1711. The medium here is mezzotint, a printmaking technique that relies on the manipulation of a copper plate. The process starts by roughening the entire surface with a tool called a rocker, creating countless tiny burrs that would print as solid black. The artist then smooths or burnishes areas to varying degrees, creating lighter tones. This print is a tour-de-force, showcasing mezzotint's ability to render subtle gradations of light and shadow. Look closely and you'll notice the textures of the girl’s skin, hair, and clothing, all achieved through this meticulous process. Mezzotint was prized for its capacity to mimic the tonal range of paintings, making it a popular method for reproducing portraits and other images. As such, it sits at the intersection of craft, art, and commerce, a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are the product of skilled labor and material transformation.