Christus bij Martha en Maria Possibly 1705 - 1728

This print, "Christus bij Martha en Maria," was made by Pieter Sluyter, who lived between 1675 and 1733. It is an engraving, meaning that the image was created by cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then transferring the image onto paper. The linear quality and the gradations of tone are directly related to the labor involved, requiring great skill to control the burin and create a convincing illusion of light and shadow. This was not just a reproductive technique; printmakers were highly skilled artists. In this image, we see the biblical story of Martha complaining to Christ about her sister Mary, who is not helping with the labor of housework. It’s interesting to note that Sluyter chose to represent this scene through printmaking. The very act of creating this image involves labor, inviting us to reflect on the dynamics of work, duty, and complaint depicted in the biblical narrative. This artwork invites us to consider the relationship between art, labor, and social context.