Judge Herkinbald Cutting the Throat of his Nephew 1553

Heinrich Aldegrever made this small but intense print in 1553, using the exacting method of engraving. This is an intaglio process, where the artist carves lines into a metal plate. Ink is then pressed into these recesses and transferred to paper. Look closely and you can see how Aldegrever has built up tone, using tightly packed lines to create shadows. This technique demands incredible skill and patience, reflecting the printmaker's mastery over their materials. The sharp, unforgiving nature of the metal allows for precise detail, evident in the rendering of fabric, facial expressions, and even the texture of the bedsheets. Engraving was a key technology in the early modern period, allowing for the mass production and dissemination of images. This print, with its dramatic subject matter, speaks to a society grappling with issues of power, morality, and the consequences of violence. The very act of creating multiple copies implicates this artwork in the world of commerce and consumption. It reminds us that art, even in its most unsettling forms, is always connected to the social and economic forces of its time.