Marcus Curtius te paard 1586 - 1596

This print, Marcus Curtius te paard, of unknown origin, presents a compelling example of the engraver's art. The image is wrought entirely from lines incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin. Consider the labor involved in creating such an image. Each line, each curve, each subtle gradation of tone, painstakingly carved by hand. The act of engraving is slow and deliberate, demanding immense skill and precision. The dense network of lines creates a palpable sense of depth and texture. The print’s likely purpose was dissemination, bringing stories to a wide audience at a relatively low cost. It belongs to a world where images were not instantly reproducible, but rather, born of careful craft. And even in its damaged state, the print still speaks to us of the labor, skill, and social purpose embedded within its very grain.