Putti met een guirlande van vruchten 1835 - 1899

This print of putti with a garland of fruit was made by Johann Leonhard Raab in the 19th century. Raab was a skilled printmaker, adept in techniques of engraving and etching. These processes involve the controlled erosion of a metal plate, allowing for the creation of repeatable images. Consider the labour involved in the creation of this artwork; the initial design, the careful work of cutting lines into the metal, and then the printing itself. Prints like this existed within a complex economy of image production. They were relatively inexpensive compared to paintings, and could be widely distributed. This one may have been based on an original painting. The cultural significance of this print lies in its reproductive nature, making art accessible to a broader audience, yet also commodifying it. The importance of materials, making, and context helps us understand the print's meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.