Thuis bij de Engelse gezant tijdens de Bartholomeusnacht 1842 - 1887

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print, titled ‘At the English Ambassador's During the St. Bartholomew's Night’, using the technique of steel engraving. Engraving is a labor-intensive process. The artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate. The depth and density of these lines determine the amount of ink held, and thus, the tonal range of the final print. This painstaking process requires considerable skill and precision, reflecting a tradition of craftsmanship. Steel engraving allowed for finer lines and larger editions than copper. Notice how Last used this to create a range of textures, from the heavy drapes to the tense expressions on people's faces. Prints such as this one served as a means of disseminating historical narratives in the 19th century. In this case, the subject is the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, a dark episode of religious violence. While seemingly distant from the world of labor, this print has a strong relationship to the modes of production. It makes a statement about the value of human life and the cost of conflict.