Aanbidding der koningen 1680 - 1780

This print, titled "The Adoration of the Magi," was created by an anonymous artist. The fine lines and tonal gradations you see were achieved through the intricate process of engraving. Here, a metal plate, likely copper, would have been painstakingly incised with a burin to create the image. Ink is then applied to the plate, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. The plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The technique demands incredible skill and precision, with each line carefully placed to build up the composition. The density of the lines creates areas of shadow, while the untouched areas of the paper remain white, producing highlights. In its time, such a print would have served as a relatively affordable means of disseminating imagery, making art accessible to a wider audience, and enabling the circulation of visual ideas. We can truly appreciate the labor and expertise that went into its creation.