Job op de mesthoop 1594 - 1729

This print, "Job op de mesthoop," whose artist is unknown, is an engraving, a medium that involves laborious, skilled work. The engraver uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, typically copper. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the incised lines, and the surface is wiped clean. When paper is pressed against the plate, the ink transfers, creating the image. This process allows for detailed work and the creation of multiple impressions, making it a means of disseminating images widely. The social context of printmaking is significant. Engravings like this one made images accessible to a broader audience, playing a role in the circulation of ideas and stories. The image depicts Job, from the Old Testament, afflicted with suffering, yet maintaining his faith. Ultimately, the value of an engraving lies not just in the image it conveys, but also in the labor and skill embedded in its production.