De man Lucretia in de gevangenis

This print of a man, Lucretia, in prison, was made by Jan Wandelaar sometime before 1759. It’s an engraving, a process that begins with cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then wiping it clean so that the ink remains only in the incised lines. Look closely, and you can see how Wandelaar varied the depth and density of the lines to create the effects of shading and texture. This was skilled work, requiring great control and judgment. A printmaker like Wandelaar stood in relation to a painter much like a factory worker does to a craftsperson: he was a facilitator, bringing designs to a wider audience. Consider the meaning of this image, in relation to its mode of production. Here, the story is translated through the skill of the engraver, into a commodity that can be circulated and consumed. The artist's labor becomes intertwined with the narrative, adding another layer to our understanding of this historical artwork.