Christus wast de voeten van de apostelen en het Laatste Avondmaal 1791

This print, depicting Christ washing the feet of the Apostles and the Last Supper, was made by Jacob Folkema sometime in the 18th century. It’s a copper engraving, meaning that the image we see was incised into a copper plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see how the artist used a tool called a burin to create fine lines in the metal. Notice how the density and direction of these lines create the illusion of light, shadow, and form. Printmaking was a highly skilled craft, often involving a division of labor. While Folkema was a prolific and talented engraver, he often worked from designs by other artists. Prints like this were relatively inexpensive and widely distributed, making religious imagery accessible to a broad audience. They offer a fascinating window into the visual culture and religious beliefs of the time, blurring the lines between fine art and popular imagery.