Apostel Johannes de Evangelist met miskelk 1517 - 1577

This is an engraving of Saint John the Evangelist, made by an anonymous artist. Look closely, and you'll see how this print comes to life through the meticulous, repetitive process of carving lines into a metal plate. Notice how the varying densities of lines create shadows and textures, from the folds of Saint John's robe to the curls of his hair. The engraver likely used tools like burins and scrapers to achieve such detail, demonstrating skilled metalworking. Consider the labor involved in this detailed work and the social context in which printed images were produced. Engravings like these were essential for disseminating knowledge, religious iconography, and artistic ideas. Prints made art more accessible at the time, but it is also important to acknowledge that the craft of engraving was intertwined with commerce, appealing to a broad audience in a way that resonates with social and cultural values. Appreciating the material process gives a richer understanding of the image itself.