Lucht 1560 - 1600

This engraving, "Lucht" or "Air", was made around 1600 by Johann Sadeler, using a technique that was central to the distribution of imagery at that time. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning that the image is incised into a metal plate, in this case copper, using a tool called a burin. The lines are then filled with ink, and the plate is pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see the characteristic crisp lines that define the forms. The engraving process allowed for the relatively efficient reproduction of images, making art accessible to a wider audience. It's important to remember that prints like these were not just aesthetic objects, but also a form of mass communication. The skilled labor and techniques required highlights the intersection of craft and early capitalism, facilitating the spread of knowledge and artistic ideas across Europe. So, when we look at this print, we're seeing the product of a sophisticated material culture.