Triomf van Luther, 1707 1707

This print, made anonymously in 1707, is made from etching and engraving on paper. The linear quality of the work is due to the processes used. An engraver uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, while an etching involves covering the plate with a waxy ground, scratching away the ground to expose the metal, and then bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating the lines that will hold the ink. The social significance of printmaking lies in its capacity for mass production. It democratizes images, making them accessible to a wider audience than unique paintings or sculptures. In this case, the print disseminates a political message sympathetic to Luther. The labor-intensive processes, however, are obscured by the final product. While it appears simple, each impression requires careful inking and pressing, a testament to skilled craftsmanship. Understanding this print means recognizing not only its visual content, but also the means of its production, and its broader role in the distribution of ideas during a period of religious and political change.