Voorbereiding op Pesach en de viering van de Pesachmaaltijd 1725

Bernard Picart made this print, "Preparation for Passover" employing etching and engraving, techniques dependent on the division of labor. The composition is divided in two scenes, the upper one focusing on the cleaning of the house in search of bread, the lower one on the celebration of the Seder meal. Picart carefully deployed lines and hatched strokes to create areas of light and shadow, lending an illusion of depth to the scenes. The printmaking process itself involves meticulous labor, suggesting a parallel with the work ethic displayed in the image. It is likely that the division of labor used in the printmaking process—between the artist, the engraver, and the publisher—mirrors the social hierarchy observed in the artwork. This print, made through carefully planned and executed processes, invites us to consider the often unseen labor that underpins both artistic creation and everyday life. It dissolves the boundaries between the fine arts and craft, reminding us that all creative practices are rooted in materiality, making, and context.