Verzoeking van Christus 1670 - 1682

This print, *Verzoeking van Christus,* was made in the 17th century by Melchior Küsel, using the process of etching. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed areas are eaten away, creating lines. The longer it sits in the acid, the deeper the lines, and the darker they will appear in the print. In Küsel's time, printmaking was often used to reproduce paintings and other artworks, making them more widely accessible. Printmakers were skilled craftsmen, playing a crucial role in the circulation of images and ideas. The dense detail achieved through the etching process speaks to the labor and skill involved in its making. Each line meticulously rendered, contributing to the overall composition. The finished print then becomes a commodity, reproduced and circulated within a burgeoning market for images. Here, the convergence of craft, commerce, and religious narrative offers a glimpse into the social fabric of the time.