Antieke kan met staande vrouw Possibly 1779

This engraving of an antique ewer, featuring a standing woman, was made in 1779 by Patrick Begbie. Engraving is an intaglio printmaking technique, where the design is incised into a metal plate. The process involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines into the metal, creating grooves that will hold ink. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the inked image. The visual effect of this print is determined entirely by the precision of the engraved line, and the artist's skill in using it to suggest form, texture, and shadow. Note the tremendous amount of work involved in creating the fine details of the ewer's design, from the standing woman to the acanthus leaves and serpentine handle. Begbie’s image provides us with insight into 18th century taste. By focusing on the labor and skill involved in creating this print, we can appreciate its value as both a work of art and a historical document.