Besnijdenis van Johannes de Doper 1553 - 1558

Hans Liefrinck created this print, "Circumcision of John the Baptist," sometime in the mid-16th century. The process of engraving involves meticulously incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The stark contrast between light and shadow is entirely dependent on Liefrinck’s skill as an engraver, a testament to his understanding of how to translate depth and texture onto a flat surface. The fineness of the lines conveys a sense of detail that is crucial in capturing the solemnity of the event, as well as the architecture surrounding it. The printmaking tradition, situated between unique works of art and mass-produced imagery, reflects complex relationships of labor, skill, and consumption. The time and expertise required to create such a detailed engraving speaks to a culture that valued both artistic skill and the dissemination of religious narratives through reproducible means. Approaching this print through the lens of material and making allows us to appreciate its cultural significance.