Erysichthon c. 1572 - 1652

This print, Erysichthon, was made by Johannes and Lucas van Doetechum, using an engraving technique. The making of prints has always been connected to the wider world of work and commerce. In this case, we see a landscape featuring classical ruins, all rendered with a network of fine lines. To make this image, the artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a metal plate. Ink is then applied to the plate, and then wiped off the surface, remaining only in the incised lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate to create the image. The technique demands a high degree of skill and control, with the quality of the final print depending on the precision and artistry of the engraver. But printmaking has always been a reproductive medium, and one could argue that the real subject of the artwork is not simply the scene depicted, but the labor required to produce it. This tension is characteristic of all prints, and reminds us to look closely at the human effort involved in their making.