Kitchen Scene with a Maid Drawing Poultry, the Parable of the Rich Man and the Poor Lazarus, from Kitchen and Market Scenes with Biblical Scenes in the Background 1598 - 1608

This print, "Kitchen Scene with a Maid Drawing Poultry", was made by Jacob Matham around the turn of the 17th century, using the exacting technique of engraving. Look closely, and you’ll see how Matham’s skillful use of the burin renders the scene. The varying width and density of the lines create an illusion of depth and texture, from the feathery softness of the fowl to the smooth surfaces of the pottery and glassware. The materiality of the image is all about this interplay of black ink and white paper. The labor involved in such a print was considerable. Each line had to be carefully incised into a copper plate, a time-consuming process demanding precision and control. Note the contrast between the opulence of the kitchen scene and the skilled labor required to depict it. It is a testament to the complex relationship between artistic production, economic display, and social hierarchy in Matham’s time. This print invites us to consider the labor and context that shapes our understanding of art.