De heilige Hiëronymus als kluizenaar 1560 - 1580

This print, *De heilige Hiëronymus als kluizenaar*, or Saint Jerome as a Hermit, was made by an anonymous artist using the process of engraving. The process begins with a metal plate, likely copper, into which the design is carefully incised with a tool called a burin. The artist would have used the burin to remove slivers of metal, creating lines that hold ink. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, damp paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. The character of the line in this print is a direct result of this laborious process. Notice how the varying depths and thicknesses of the lines create shading and texture, from the saint's beard to the lion's mane. It's remarkable to consider the skill and time required to produce such a detailed image through such an indirect process. By focusing on the materials and processes involved, we can appreciate the cultural significance of printmaking as a means of disseminating images and ideas, while also recognizing the labor and expertise that went into each impression.