The Presentation of Mary in the Temple 1515 - 1525

This print of The Presentation of Mary in the Temple was made anonymously, using metal and ink. The image is executed through the subtractive process of engraving, in which a design is incised into a metal plate. The plate is inked, and then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Consider the labor involved in such a process. The engraver needed the dexterity to control the burin, a specialized tool, to create these intricate lines. The controlled cuts create light and shadow, texture, and depth. The image displays a traditional religious scene, yet the medium suggests a larger printmaking industry. Prints like these were relatively inexpensive, making art accessible to a broad audience. The commercial nature of printmaking allowed artisans to make a living through the multiplication of imagery and the expansion of visual culture. This work challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the social, economic, and political context of its creation.