Johannes de Doper als kind c. 1660 - 1680

Curator: Here we have "Johannes de Doper als kind," or "John the Baptist as a Child," an engraving from around 1660 to 1680, attributed to Marcantonio Bellavia. It's part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: It's striking! The texture created by the engraving is captivating. It gives a real sense of depth and three-dimensionality. I'm particularly drawn to the use of line to depict light and shadow. Curator: Precisely. What interests me is the production of devotional imagery during this period and the access ordinary people would have had to it, perhaps in the form of affordable prints such as this one. It suggests the demand for religious imagery amongst the populace, not just the elite. Editor: Thinking about structure, the figure of the young John, haloed and kneeling with a lamb, takes center stage, contrasting sharply with the cruder background landscape. There is a semiotic loading here, particularly the lamb with the figure who will ultimately foreshadow redemption. Curator: Yes, the inclusion of the lamb is important and speaks to sacrifice. Consider the labor involved. An engraver meticulously transferring an image, in reverse, onto a copper plate. The plate then printed multiple times. These prints had lives of their own, they traveled, they were pinned on walls, placed in books… Editor: The materiality of it all enhances the spiritual nature of the artwork through the contrast between hard and soft – stone vs. sheep's fleece – creating compelling dissonance, wouldn’t you say? Curator: Indeed, but I think the value comes in how this engraving allowed access for a broader demographic in seventeenth-century Netherlands. Editor: Ultimately, this piece stands out by uniting sophisticated rendering with simple composition for lasting emotional engagement and clear symbolism. Curator: It gives one a lot to consider with regards to the life of prints during that period. Thanks for this moment.