Diverses Pieces de Serruriers, page 15 (recto) 1658 - 1668

This print, *Diverses Pieces de Serruriers*, was created by Jean Berain in the late 17th century, using a technique called etching. Look closely, and you'll see how the design is built from many tiny parallel lines. The process begins with a metal plate covered in a waxy, acid-resistant coating. Berain would have used a sharp needle to scratch away the coating, exposing the metal underneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and then the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. Notice how the etched lines give the design a sense of depth and texture, and how the metal gives crispness to the lines. Prints like this one would have been used by metalworkers as inspiration for their own designs. Considering the labor involved, this print underscores the close relationship between art, craft, and design at this time. The artistry isn't just in the image, but in the skilled, labor-intensive process that brought it into being.