Heilige Paulus, staande op een console 1485 - 1490

This is a print of Saint Paul standing on a console, made by the Master of the Amsterdam Cabinet. The fine lines and detailed shading you see are the product of painstaking work with an engraving tool, cutting into a metal plate, likely copper. This isn't just any drawing; it’s a matrix intended for reproduction. The very nature of printmaking speaks to a culture of dissemination and accessibility, a move away from unique, handcrafted artworks toward a more democratic distribution of images. Notice the textures the artist has created, from the folds of Saint Paul’s robes to the pages of the book he holds. These details wouldn't be possible without the engraver's skilled hand and knowledge of the material. The linear quality of the work speaks directly to its method of production. Considering the labor involved, from the initial design to the final print, reminds us that even seemingly simple images are the result of extensive, often unseen effort.