The Wise Virgins before Christ 1630 - 1640

Abraham Bosse made this print, “The Wise Virgins before Christ,” using engraving—a meticulous process of incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. Engraving was a key technology in disseminating images and ideas, operating within a growing capitalist economy. Bosse himself was central to its development; he published a hugely influential treatise on the practice in 1645. Note the precision of the lines, made possible by the burin, the engraver's tool, and the deep blacks achieved by careful inking. The artist's skill is evident, as he employs linear hatching to create tone and volume. The texture of the paper, its absorbency, and its ability to capture fine detail all contribute to the print's impact. The labour-intensive process reflects the value placed on craftsmanship, but also the increasing demand for accessible imagery in early modern Europe. Bosse’s print exemplifies how materials, making, and context intertwine to give artworks their full meaning, challenging distinctions between art and craft.