Annunciatie 1682

Valentin Lefebvre made this print, called 'Annunciation', in the 17th century. This print is made using a process called etching, in which lines are bitten into a metal plate with acid, then filled with ink and printed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see how the artist manipulated this technique to create a whole range of tones and textures. Consider the skilled labor involved. Printmaking was a key means of circulating images in early modern Europe. It allowed artists to disseminate their ideas widely, but it also relied on a network of skilled artisans. There was the etcher, like Lefebvre, who needed to master complex chemical and mechanical processes. There were also the printers themselves, often working in workshops, who operated the printing presses and ensured consistent quality across large editions. So, next time you look at a print, remember that you’re not just seeing an image. You’re seeing the result of a complex social process, one that brought together artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs in a shared project of visual communication.