Aanbidding door de koningen 1638

Michel Dorigny made this print, "Adoration by the Kings" in the 17th century, through the intaglio process. Here, we see the artistry and labor involved in the copperplate engraving. Lines are incised into a metal plate, which holds ink to make the print. The fineness of the lines, combined with the density, creates a sense of depth, and also provides shading and detail to the composition. Dorigny would have had to master the control of the burin, or engraving tool, to achieve the variations in line weight seen here. The engraver's skill is evident in the textures, from the flowing draperies to the architectural details. This print, though produced by hand, was also a form of mass production. The technique allowed images to be reproduced and distributed widely, thereby serving the cultural and religious purposes of the era. By considering both the skill of the engraver and the context of reproductive technology, we appreciate that this image belongs to histories of creative practices and aesthetics, alongside both craft and fine art.