Theophilos van Byzantium op een markt in Constantinopel 1782

Reinier Vinkeles made this engraving depicting Theophilos van Byzantium at a market in Constantinople. Engraving is a printmaking process where an image is incised into a metal plate, traditionally copper, and then inked to create a print. The clarity and precision of the lines are influenced by the engraver's skill in handling the burin, the tool used for cutting. Vinkeles expertly used the burin to create a range of tonal effects, from the stark blacks defining the figures to the subtle grays suggesting depth and atmosphere. The medium lends itself to detailed, narrative scenes, capturing the bustling energy of the market. The lines create depth and texture that invite us to consider the social dynamics at play. The print becomes a record of skill and labor, both in the depiction of the market scene and in the making of the engraving itself. It reminds us of the human effort behind both the artwork and the everyday life it portrays. By recognizing the value of both, we resist the separation of fine art from the rich tapestry of human experience.