Huwelijksnacht van Jeane 1645 - 1681

Edme de Boulonois created this engraving, “Huwelijksnacht van Jeane,” or "Jeane's Wedding Night," using a metal plate to transfer the image onto paper. The technique itself speaks to a moment of emerging capitalist culture, when images could be reproduced and circulated widely. This print, with its satirical depiction of a wedding night, would have been relatively accessible to a broad audience. Look closely, and you'll see the texture created by the engraver's tool as it bit into the metal. The crisp lines and the stark contrast between light and shadow are a direct result of this process. The level of detail achieved is impressive, considering the labor-intensive nature of engraving. Each line had to be carefully incised, demanding precision and skill. The fact that this scene was considered worthy of such meticulous reproduction tells us a lot about the social context. It reflects a society where intimate moments were not necessarily private, and where humor often came at the expense of others. By understanding the materials and making of this print, we gain insight into the cultural values of the time, and we appreciate how this artwork blurs boundaries between fine art and social commentary.