The Great Courier (copy) 1825 - 1888

This is Alois Petrak's copy of The Great Courier, made with engraving tools, probably in the mid-19th century. It’s a work on paper, but its power resides in the precise and meticulous process that brought it into being. Engraving is an intaglio process, which means the image is incised into a metal plate, traditionally copper. The artist uses a tool called a burin to cut lines into the surface; these lines hold the ink, which is then transferred to paper under great pressure. The quality of line achieved through engraving is quite distinctive – sharp, clean, and capable of great subtlety. The original print that Petrak copied was made by Albrecht Dürer around 1500, and it was incredibly influential. This copy speaks to the enduring appeal of Dürer's technique, and the social role of the printmaker in circulating and preserving important images. It’s a testament to the value of skilled handwork in mediating culture.