Paulus op Malta 1643 - 1646

This print, titled "Paulus op Malta", was made by an anonymous artist, using the technique of engraving. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning the image is cut into a surface, in this case a metal plate, and then filled with ink to be transferred onto paper. The fine lines you see, which define the figures and landscape, are the direct result of the engraver's skill with their tools. The choice of engraving is significant here. It allowed for the relatively quick and efficient production of multiple copies, making the story of Paul’s stay in Malta accessible to a wide audience. Look closely, and you can almost feel the labor involved, not only in the depicted scene but in the meticulous process of creating the plate itself. In this context, the print isn't just an artwork; it's a product of a particular mode of production, reflecting the growing importance of both craft and dissemination in early modern Europe. The materiality of the print is therefore inseparable from its social and cultural meaning.