Aanbidding door de herders 1526

This print, "Adoration of the Shepherds" was made by Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio in the 16th century, using the intaglio technique. Here, the image is achieved by cutting lines into a copper plate, which then holds ink to be transferred to paper. The final print appears delicate, but don't be fooled - the process requires tremendous physical strength and precision. Look closely, and you'll notice the dense network of lines and cross-hatching. These aren't just marks; they are the result of labor. The intaglio printing process in Caraglio's time was not just a means of artistic expression, it was part of a rapidly evolving system of visual communication. Prints allowed images to be disseminated widely, contributing to the Renaissance's explosion of knowledge and art. Think of it as the social media of its day. By appreciating the physical processes of printmaking, we recognize the ingenuity and skilled traditions that bridge craft and fine art.