Diana en Endymion 1655 - 1690

This print, titled "Diana and Endymion," was made by an anonymous artist using engraving techniques. The process of engraving, deeply rooted in skilled handcraft, is evident in every line of this scene. Think of the labor involved in incising those marks into a copper plate, which then allows the image to be reproduced. The crispness of the lines, the subtle gradations of tone, all depend on the engraver’s mastery. The prevalence of prints like this in their time speaks to broader social and cultural dynamics. They allowed for the widespread dissemination of images, making art accessible beyond the elite circles. The print functioned almost as a form of social currency, passing ideas and aesthetics from one place to another. Considering the material processes behind this engraving reminds us that art is always the product of labor, skill, and social context. It challenges us to look beyond the image itself, and to appreciate the rich history of making that is embedded within it.