Leeuwenjacht 1835 - 1899

Johann Leonhard Raab created ‘Leeuwenjacht’ using burin engraving, a painstaking process with a sharp steel tool to incise lines directly into a copper plate. This method demands absolute precision, making corrections impossible, and it's traditionally associated with reproducing existing images. The resulting image has a remarkable level of detail, a wide range of tones, and intricate cross-hatching to create depth and texture. The material qualities of the copper plate, combined with the artist's control over the burin, are crucial to the artwork's appearance. The image is crisp, and the lines are clean and precise, with a subtle sheen reflecting light. Burin engraving was closely tied to the rise of print culture and capitalism. Engravers played a vital role in disseminating images, from portraits to landscapes, fueling a growing market for affordable art. Raab’s mastery of this craft exemplifies the skill and labor involved in producing art for a broader audience. Understanding the material and process used in this artwork enhances our appreciation for the fusion of craft and commerce, challenging any strict boundaries we might draw between the fine and applied arts.