Vaas en griffioenen 1775 - 1797

This print, "Vaas en griffioenen," was made by Nicolas Xavier Willemin in the late 18th or early 19th century using engraving. It's not just an image; it's a reproduction made possible by sophisticated printing technologies. Consider the labor involved: the skilled hand of the engraver, meticulously translating a design onto a copper plate. The vase is a neoclassical form, embellished with griffins; it’s all about refinement. Yet, the print itself is a product of the industrializing world. It could be reproduced and sold to a growing middle class eager to consume images of luxury. The lines, the shading, the precision – all speak to the engraver's mastery. But beyond that, the print whispers of a society grappling with new ways of making, new forms of commerce, and new definitions of taste. This challenges our traditional categories, asking us to consider the print as both a work of art and a commodity.