Maria als kluizenares 1590 - 1662

This print, Maria als kluizenares, was made by an anonymous artist using an engraving technique. The image is made through a labor-intensive process. First, the artist would have used a tool called a burin to manually incise lines into a copper plate. The depth and density of these lines determine the tonal range of the final print. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Here, the artist uses the technique to great effect, describing textures and light through the precise mark-making. Notice how the lines radiate from the halo, creating a sense of divine light. Also consider the contrast between the smooth, flowing lines describing Mary’s robes and the denser, cross-hatched lines that create shadow and volume. Ultimately, understanding the process of engraving allows us to appreciate the skill and labor involved in creating this image, and highlights the historical importance of printmaking as a means of disseminating images and ideas.