Hertenjacht 1510 - 1552

Hans Brosamer made this engraving, Hertenjacht, sometime in the mid-16th century. The process of engraving is fascinating. Using a tool called a burin, the artist carves lines directly into a copper plate, creating recesses that hold ink. This plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Consider how the density and direction of the lines create form, light, and shadow. This is a direct, laborious method, demanding precision and control. The medium of printmaking democratized image production. This allowed for the wider distribution of images and ideas. Here, we see a hunting scene, a common subject in art history. The work is not just about depicting this aristocratic pastime. It’s a commentary on social class, the relationship between humans and nature, and the role of labor in producing images that were accessible to a broader public. Brosamer’s skillful engraving elevates the status of printmaking, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.