Allegorie met diverse figuren waaronder de muze Urania en de Waarheid die het licht van de zon over alles laat schijnen 1748

This print, "Allegory with various figures including the muse Urania and the Truth that lets the light of the sun shine over everything" was made by Pierre Soubeyran, using etching. The stark contrast between the ink and the paper creates the illusion of depth and luminosity. Look at the way the light seems to radiate outwards, achieved through the density and direction of etched lines. This was not about the individual touch of an artist working alone. Etching is a reproductive medium. It facilitated the dissemination of images in early modern Europe. Prints like this one played a crucial role in circulating ideas and aesthetics. The labour involved was often divided among multiple artisans, each specializing in a particular stage of the process. By focusing on the materiality and production of this print, we can appreciate its role in the broader context of art, commerce, and the circulation of ideas. This challenges the idea of the artist as a solitary genius, highlighting the collective effort behind the creation and distribution of images.