To tyrkiske fodfolk: en bueskytte og en soldat med en økse 1600 - 1700

This print, titled “To tyrkiske fodfolk: en bueskytte og en soldat med en økse,” or “Two Turkish Infantrymen: An Archer and a Soldier with an Axe,” was made by an anonymous artist. Prints like this are often overlooked as mere reproductions, but they have their own unique qualities. This image, though small, packs a punch thanks to the skilled application of engraving. Notice the fine lines that create the figures, landscape and weapons. The process begins with a metal plate, likely copper, into which the design is incised using a tool called a burin. This requires immense control and precision. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image transfers, creating a mirror image of the original design. Each print is essentially an original, bearing the marks of the engraver’s hand and the printing process. Consider the labor involved in creating this image, from the initial design to the final print. It's a testament to the skill and artistry of the printmaker, who transformed a simple piece of metal into a window onto another world.