Paardenstal 1638 - 1706

Cornelis Visscher made this print, Paardenstal, in the mid-17th century, using engraving – a method of cutting lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Visscher was a master of this painstaking process. Note how he coaxes a full tonal range from simple lines, from the dark shadows of the stable’s interior to the bright daylight streaming in from outside. This is achieved by varying the weight and density of the engraved marks. See, too, how Visscher differentiates textures: the rough masonry, the soft fur of the horses, the worn wooden ladder. This wasn't just a display of technical skill; it was a way of ennobling an everyday subject. Horse stables, after all, were workplaces, sites of animal labor that fueled the Dutch economy. Visscher elevates this scene through the artistry of his engraving, inviting us to see the beauty and dignity in the ordinary. It's a reminder that even the humblest subjects can be transformed through skilled making.