Man beklimt een rots met geblinddoekte Cupido 1609

Willem van Swanenburg made this engraving, "Man Climbing a Rock with Blindfolded Cupid," using metal, acid, and ink. The crisp lines and textures you see result from a meticulous process. First, the design was incised into a metal plate. Then, acid would have been applied, biting into the exposed lines, creating grooves to hold ink. Finally, Swanenburg would have inked the plate, wiped away the excess, and pressed paper against it to transfer the image. What I find so interesting about this print is that it embodies the tension between craft and mechanization. The act of engraving is highly skilled, demanding precise handwork. Yet, the printing process allowed for the mass production of images, catering to a growing market. The labor of the artist is multiplied, raising questions about value and originality. So, next time you see an engraving, remember the intricate dance between hand and machine that brought it into being.