Christus aan het volk getoond 1520s - 1530s

Michiel Coxie created this print, *Christus aan het volk getoond*, sometime between 1494 and 1592 using pen in brown. The artist used a metal stylus to inscribe the design onto a plate, likely copper, creating grooves that would hold the ink. The quality of the line is determined by the amount of pressure and skill used. See how the process allowed for a high level of detail? The image is a dense accumulation of figures in a classical setting. It is a familiar biblical scene depicted with striking realism. This process, called engraving, required immense skill. The level of craft involved, the technical processes, and the ability to create multiples made printmaking a key medium for disseminating ideas and images across Europe during the Renaissance. So, when considering this print, remember that its material and making are as important as its subject. It challenges our traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.