Kerkvader Augustinus after 1600

Roeland van Bolten etched this image of Saint Augustine, using metal plates, acid, and printing press technology. The dense network of lines, created through the labor-intensive process of etching, defines the form. This is an indirect technique, where acid eats into the metal to create recessed lines that hold ink. You can almost feel the pressure of the press as it transferred the image onto paper. The tools and techniques employed would have been very similar to those used in industrial printing, creating the possibility to reproduce images for mass consumption. The fine details, from the saint's halo to the books, showcase the skill required. Yet the material choice and reproductive nature push it beyond traditional “fine art." The finished print offered a blend of artistic expression and technical skill. Considering the materials, labor, and context, we can challenge the separation of art and craft. This print invites us to value the process and the skilled work that went into its creation.