Two Lovers with Pan, from "Ex Antiquis Cameorum et Gemmae Delineata/ Liber Secundus/et ab Enea Vico Parmen Incis" 1599 - 1622

This is a print made by an anonymous artist, part of a series called "Ex Antiquis Cameorum et Gemmae Delineata". It was made through the process of engraving, where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The image itself shows two lovers with Pan, a mythological figure. But what's interesting to consider is the labor involved in creating this print. Engraving is meticulous work, demanding skilled hands and keen eyes. Each line you see was carefully carved. Prints like these were often made in multiples, allowing images and ideas to circulate widely. They were a key part of the visual culture of their time, and are very much tied to early modes of production and circulation. So next time you look at a print, think about not just what it depicts, but also the hands that made it, and its role in a much wider social and economic context. It really encourages one to consider the value of craft in what we often see as fine art.