Maria met kind 1835 - 1899

Johann Leonhard Raab created this print, Maria met kind, using a technique called line engraving. This painstaking process involves incising lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. The nature of engraving lends a crisp precision to the image. Raab would have used a tool called a burin to carve the lines, carefully controlling the depth and thickness to create gradations of light and shadow. Notice the density of lines in the darker areas, building up a rich, velvety effect. This meticulous labor is crucial to the final outcome. Engraving has a long history of reproducing artworks, making them accessible to a wider audience. In an era before photography, it was a primary means of disseminating images, and also a skilled trade. Consider the economic implications: the time and expertise required for engraving meant that prints like this were luxury items, and part of a wider system of labor and consumption. By appreciating the material and process behind this print, we gain insight into its cultural significance, and the skilled work that went into its making.