Maria draagt heilige Franciscus van Assisi voor aan Christus 1590 - 1633

This print, "Maria draagt heilige Franciscus van Assisi voor aan Christus," was made by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert. It is an engraving, meaning the artist used a tool called a burin to carve lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed. The density of lines creates a full tonal range, from the bright luminescence of Christ to the deep shadows in the lower register. Engraving was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process, often used for mass-producing images for religious or educational purposes. The fine lines and precise details made possible by engraving allowed for intricate compositions and subtle gradations of light and shadow. Engravings like this one played an important role in disseminating religious ideas and imagery. It also offered Bolswert a way to make a living by reproducing images for a broad audience, connecting artmaking to the wider economy of printmaking. Considering the material and processes used in its making can help us appreciate the full social and cultural significance of this artwork.