Anatomische les van professor Paaw 1615

Andries Stock created this print of the Anatomical Lesson of Professor Paaw using engraving, a process that demands painstaking labor. The original image would have begun as a highly polished copper plate. The artist then used a tool called a burin to manually carve lines into the metal’s surface. This incredibly precise work required years of training and a deep understanding of the material’s properties. Notice the fineness of the lines, especially in rendering the figure’s faces and the intricate details of the skeleton. Once the engraving was complete, the plate was inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. The printmaker then pressed paper against the plate, transferring the image. Each print required re-inking, so the process was repeated for every copy. Prints like this one were not just artworks; they were also a means of disseminating knowledge. The print is a product of skilled labor and the growing market for visual information. The artist is both a skilled artisan and a participant in a wider network of production and consumption.