Mirakelverering 1723 - 1783

This print, Mirakelverering, was made by Lodewijk Joseph Fruytiers. The engraving uses a tightly controlled, almost mechanical, hatching technique, to render a scene dominated by a religious procession. Look closely at how the procession moves diagonally from the backdrop of the cathedral, into the right foreground and out towards us. The buildings frame the religious display, and the artist uses linear perspective to draw our eye through the crowd. The sharp lines and shading create a sense of depth, placing us within the fervor of the moment. Consider how the image's structure and the meticulous detail contribute to its overall impact. The formal rendering enhances the themes of public devotion and ceremony which are central to the era's cultural and religious life. Notice how the artist leaves space at the bottom of the picture; a space that implicates the viewer and pulls us into the very heart of the veneration.