De communie, 15 1639 - 1699

This engraving, titled "De communie, 15," comes from the Dutch Republic, and while the artist is anonymous, we can still learn a great deal by considering its materiality. The engraving process itself involves a forceful and disciplined working of a metal plate, to produce an image through controlled cuts and lines. In "De communie, 15," the contrast between light and shadow, achieved through these meticulous lines, gives the scene its solemnity. Look closely, and you can see the clear, deliberate work that went into creating the textures of the robes, the candlelight, and the expressions on the faces. Engravings like this one were produced in multiples, making them relatively accessible, and they played an important role in disseminating religious ideas during the Reformation. This work testifies to the skill of the engraver, while also speaking to the broader social and religious context of the time. It reminds us that even in the absence of a known artist, the materials and the act of making can reveal a great deal about the culture that produced an artwork.