Triomf van zeegoden c. 1506 - 1538

Albrecht Altdorfer made this tiny print, “Triumph of the Sea Gods,” from an engraving on a copper plate. Look closely, and you can see the delicate lines he etched into the metal. Engraving is a demanding process. The artist uses a tool called a burin to physically carve lines into the copper. These lines hold the ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. The depth and spacing of the lines create the illusion of light and shadow, bringing the scene to life. Prints like this were luxury items, miniature artworks traded among collectors. But they also democratized art. By making multiple impressions, Altdorfer could share his vision with a wider audience than ever before. The print medium gave artists new opportunities and new markets, changing the dynamics of artistic production. It blurred the lines between fine art and the graphic arts and made art more accessible, contributing to its social impact and the artistic landscape as a whole.