Allegori over den gode og den onde natur 1565 - 1607

This engraving, "Allegory of Good and Evil Nature," was made by Jan Saenredam around the turn of the 17th century. The print was achieved by cutting lines into a copper plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. Look closely, and you will see how the network of lines creates a sophisticated tonal range, and a remarkable amount of detail. The textures of flesh, foliage, and stone are all meticulously rendered. Saenredam skillfully used the inherent qualities of his medium to convey a complex allegory. The labor involved in this kind of printmaking was considerable; it was a skilled trade, demanding precise and patient work. Prints like this were not only artistic statements, but also commodities, made available to a wide public through sophisticated systems of production and distribution. Appreciating the craft and labor involved in creating this print allows us to understand its cultural value beyond its aesthetic qualities, questioning traditional hierarchies between art and craft.