Winter 1737 - 1775

This print, titled "Winter", was made by an anonymous artist using engraving. The process begins with a metal plate, usually copper, into which an image is carefully incised using a tool called a burin. The design's intricate lines, seen here composing the elaborate frame and the figure of the hunter, demonstrate the engraver’s skill. This kind of graphic art was central to the circulation of imagery, operating within a complex system of labor and commerce. The engraver, Ferelet, and publisher, Johann Georg Hertel, were all essential to the image's production and distribution. Prints like this played a vital role in disseminating knowledge, fashion, and political ideas. Though often undervalued in traditional art history, these works offer critical insight into the social and economic structures of their time. Considering the labor involved and its place in a broader network of exchange allows us to appreciate its cultural significance beyond aesthetics.