John the Baptist Beheaded c. 1576 - 1580

"John the Baptist Beheaded" was made by Léonard Gaultier using engraving, a printmaking technique with a long and fascinating history. The process involves incising lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then transferring the ink to paper under high pressure. Look closely, and you'll see how Gaultier skillfully uses this linear language to create a complex scene. Engraving was a crucial technology for disseminating images and ideas in the early modern period. It allowed for the mass production of visual information, serving both religious and secular purposes. The medium's inherent reproducibility also connects it to broader social issues of labor and economics. The engraver, often working within a workshop, was a skilled artisan, producing images for a growing market. By focusing on the materiality and making of this print, we gain a deeper appreciation not only for Gaultier's artistry, but also for the wider cultural and economic context in which he worked.