Oude vrouw in een kerk, biddend met rozenkrans en bijbel 1864 - 1911

This print, by Frans Lauwers, made in the late 19th or early 20th century, captures an elderly woman at prayer in a church. Notice how the image is rendered. It’s all about line, isn't it? The artist painstakingly built up tone and texture by incising thousands of tiny marks into a metal plate. Think about the labor involved, the time taken to create this image. That’s typical of printmaking. The artist works indirectly, creating a matrix that can then be used to produce multiple images, but the process requires planning, patience, and no small degree of skill. Look at the way the light falls on the woman’s face, or the folds of her dress. You can see how the act of engraving conveys the impression of texture and depth. Although this print does not have the status of a unique work of art like a painting, it is fascinating precisely because it is produced through labor-intensive, indirect means. Frans Lauwers’ artwork sits at the intersection of craft and fine art.