Visioen van de heilige Dominicus over de apostelen Petrus en Paulus

Theodoor Galle made this print, "Vision of Saint Dominic," around the turn of the 17th century, using the technique of engraving. This was a highly skilled process; the artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a copper plate. Look closely, and you’ll see how the crisp precision of those lines lends a monumental quality to the scene. It is a testament to the engraver’s mastery, a kind of labor that demanded years of training. Yet, by Galle’s time, printmaking was becoming increasingly industrialized. Engravers like him were part of a system that churned out images for a growing market. Consider how the image depicts Saint Dominic receiving symbols of authority from Saints Peter and Paul. This was intended as an instrument of religious messaging, aimed at shaping belief and behavior. So, we might consider Galle’s print as both a work of art, and an early example of mass media.