Juni 17th century

This print, titled "Juni," was made by an anonymous artist using the intaglio process of engraving. This laborious method involves carefully incising lines onto a metal plate, which are then filled with ink and transferred to paper under great pressure. Looking closely, you can see how the linear quality of the engraving shapes the scene: figures shearing sheep, a town in the background. The medium lends itself to the depiction of textures, like the wool of the animals or the rough-hewn structure behind them. Engraving like this was crucial for disseminating information and imagery at the time. Prints could be reproduced and distributed widely. In this case, it shows the seasonal work of sheep shearing, deeply connected to textile production and trade. The labor-intensive process of engraving mirrors the labor involved in sheep farming and the transformation of wool into cloth, reminding us of the intertwined histories of art, craft, and commerce.