Triomf van Christus 1559 - 1638

This engraving, "Triumph of Christ" was made by Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert in the 16th century. It's a tour-de-force of the engraver's art, wrought on a copper plate. Look closely and you can see how the density of lines creates tone and shadow. Coornhert uses hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling to build up the image. The figures of Christ and his entourage are boldly sculptural, achieved entirely through the graphic deployment of line. The labor involved in this process is considerable. Each line had to be carefully incised into the metal, a testament to the engraver's skill and patience. The print could then be produced in multiples, allowing for the wide dissemination of imagery. Though often overlooked today, printmaking was an essential technology in early modern Europe, a precursor to mass media. Through this mode of production, images and ideas could circulate like never before, with a profound impact on culture.