Hercules doodt de draak Ladon 1679 - 1728

This print, Hercules slaying the dragon Ladon, was made by Jean-Baptiste de Poilly in the late 17th or early 18th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the image you see was incised into a metal plate, likely copper. The process begins with lines being carefully cut into the plate, which are then filled with ink. The plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Notice the incredible detail, achieved by the mastery of line work. Engraving was a highly skilled, labor-intensive craft, often commissioned for reproduction and dissemination of images. Prints like these played a crucial role in circulating artistic ideas and stories, like that of Hercules, to a wider audience. De Poilly’s expertise elevates this from mere reproduction to an artwork in its own right. Consider the artist's hand, the precision, the pressure exerted to create a work of both artistry and industry. It challenges us to reconsider traditional hierarchies and acknowledge the value of skilled making.