Heilige Catharina van Siena met het Christuskind, Maria, een slapende Johannes de Doper en een paus Clemens I 1597

This print, Heilige Catharina van Siena met het Christuskind, was made by Philippe Thomassin around the turn of the 17th century. It’s a very fine example of engraving, a process that involves using a tool called a burin to incise lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Consider the extraordinary degree of skill required to make this image. Every line, every tonal graduation is the product of a deliberate mark, registering the artist’s hand. The density of labor is especially apparent in the darker areas, like the grotto that provides the backdrop to the scene. Yet, it's important to remember that prints like this one were made for wide distribution. They were a key element in the early modern information economy, circulating images and ideas throughout Europe. So, while we can certainly admire the virtuosity of Thomassin’s technique, we should also recognize the role that this print played in a much larger system of production and consumption. This piece beautifully merges craft and industry, reminding us of the social lives of images.