Bewening after 1485

This artwork is an engraving made by an anonymous artist. The material, a metal plate, is critical to understanding the image. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into the metal's surface, and the depth and density of these lines determine the tonality of the final print. This precise, laborious process results in the stark contrast and fine detail we see here. Engraving was a highly skilled trade, demanding years of training. The engraver's role was often to reproduce the designs of others, and in this case, the print interprets a composition by Michelangelo, as noted in the inscription at the bottom. This commercial aspect of printmaking is important. The circulation of engravings allowed for the widespread dissemination of artistic ideas and styles, but it also involved a division of labor, with the engraver acting as a kind of interpreter and manufacturer. Considering this print through the lens of its making helps us understand its social and economic context, challenging traditional notions of artistic authorship and value.