Adam en Eva plukken de verboden vrucht 1548

Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert created this image of Adam and Eve sometime in the 16th century, using the technique of engraving. The image is formed by cutting lines into a metal plate, which then holds ink and transfers the design to paper. Coornhert was a master of this process, and the dense network of lines creates a range of tones and textures. Notice how the swelling of the muscles are formed with a series of curved lines, or how the leaves are constructed with sharp, deliberate cuts. Engraving was a highly skilled craft, demanding years of training and meticulous execution. Coornhert likely worked in a print shop, where labor was divided, and specialization was valued. The circulation of printed images allowed stories to be spread far and wide, becoming a tool for both artistic expression, and religious and political messaging. Considering the labor and skill involved, this print prompts us to appreciate the rich history and cultural significance embedded in the making of this image.