Madonna met kind zittend op een muurtje in een tuin 1553

Heinrich Aldegrever made this tiny print of the Madonna and Child in 1524, using an engraving technique on a metal plate. Engraving is an incisive process; the artist carves lines directly into the metal, which then hold ink to create the printed image. Look closely, and you can see how Aldegrever modulated the pressure of his tool to create a range of tones. These lines define the forms, and create a powerful sense of light and shadow. This print is a great example of how a traditionally artistic medium can reflect the conditions of labor and production. The proliferation of printmaking in the 16th century was driven by the rise of a market economy. Artists like Aldegrever tapped into that market by producing images that could be widely distributed and sold, reflecting the religious and cultural concerns of the time. By understanding the materials, making, and context of this artwork, we can appreciate its full meaning and challenge the divide between art and craft.