Reproductie van een prent van cupido's en bladranken door Heinrich Aldegrever before 1871

This is a reproduction of a print of cupids and leaf tendrils by Heinrich Aldegrever, made by Simonau & Toovey. The original printmaker, Aldegrever, was a German artist working in the 16th century, during the rise of the Protestant Reformation. Aldegrever was one of the "Little Masters," a group of German printmakers known for their small, detailed engravings. Consider how printmaking, as a relatively democratic medium, helped spread new ideas during this turbulent period. Aldegrever himself was sympathetic to the Anabaptist cause, a radical religious movement. He was even arrested for his beliefs. This detail allows us to imagine how his art may have served as a vehicle for expressing his personal beliefs or social commentary. Historians of the book and printmakers like myself rely on archival research to better understand the artist, the context, and the cultural networks that gave meaning to works of art. Investigating Aldegrever and his artistic output requires delving into the history of religious reform, social movements, and print culture in 16th-century Germany.