Gezelschap rond een tafel 1655 - 1700

This print, called "Gezelschap rond een tafel", or "Company around a table," was made by Jan van Somer, and reproduced using an engraving technique. Engraving is an intaglio process. The artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely, and you can see the crisp, precise marks left by the burin. This method allows for fine detail and tonal variation, ideal for depicting the textures of clothing, skin, and paper. The artist skillfully uses cross-hatching and varying line weights to create depth and shadow. Engraving was a laborious and highly skilled craft, often employed for reproducing images for a wider audience. So while this print looks like a glimpse into the lives of privileged people, consider the labour that went into producing the image itself. Paying attention to materials, and the processes with which they were transformed, reminds us that even seemingly rarefied artworks are products of work, skill, and social context.