Gevecht tussen mensen en demonen op het eiland van Alcina 1694 - 1738

Elias Schaffhauser made this print of a battle between people and demons, but the actual battle was between the engraver and the copper plate. Look closely, and you'll see the whole image is constructed from tiny parallel lines. These are made using a tool called a burin, pushed through the metal to remove a sliver of material. The deeper the cut, the darker the line. It's incredibly labor-intensive, requiring great skill and strength. The stark contrast between light and shadow amplifies the scene’s dramatic tension. The composition directs our eye to the center, where chaos unfolds, emphasizing the tumultuous battle. The ruins are rendered in meticulous detail, highlighting their grandeur. Like any printmaker, Schaffhauser was effectively an entrepreneur, selling images to a growing market in the early 18th century. Seen in this light, printmaking offered a means to disseminate information and artistic ideas, connecting the artist to a broader audience and the burgeoning culture of consumption.