The Virgin in prayer looking up to the left, in an oval frame, after Reni 1665

This print of The Virgin Mary in prayer was made by Gilles Rousselet, after Guido Reni. It is an engraving: a meticulously crafted image incised into a copper plate, then inked and printed onto paper. The nature of the engraving process is crucial here. Each line you see was carefully cut by hand, a time-consuming and highly skilled process. Note how Rousselet used the density and direction of the engraved lines to create shading and volume. The act of engraving, requiring both artistry and physical labor, imbues the image with its distinct character, a testament to the engraver's dedication. Engravings like this played a key role in disseminating images before photography. They were a form of reproduction, bringing the work of famous painters to a wider audience, and operating as part of a broader commercial enterprise. Appreciating the labor that went into this print helps us to consider the artistic status of reproductive printmaking, then and now.