Vier kerkvaders: heiligen Ambrosius, Gregorius, Hiëronymus en Augustinus 1648 - 1664

This print of the Four Church Fathers was made by Cornelis van Dalen the Younger in the mid-17th century using engraving, a printmaking technique dependent on the controlled use of metal. Look closely, and you'll notice the network of fine lines incised into the copperplate. These lines create the image, holding ink and transferring it to paper when printed. The density and direction of the lines give form to the figures, describe their drapery, and suggest light and shadow. Engraving is laborious, demanding skill and precision. A design is manually cut into a metal plate, with the incised lines then filled with ink. Each print requires inking and running through a press, making the process time-consuming. Prints like these were luxury objects, symbols of status and taste. The Church Fathers, key figures in Christian history, are presented in a way that reflects the social and economic structures of their time. Considering the materials, making, and social context provides a deeper understanding of the artwork, challenging the traditional separation between fine art and craft.