Martyrdom of St. Catherine 1625

Claude Mellan created this print, Martyrdom of St. Catherine, in the 17th century. The composition immediately draws your eye to the detailed, curvilinear lines which delineate the figures of St. Catherine and the angel above her. The texture is rendered with a remarkable consistency of line, giving form to the clouds, drapery, and even the flesh. What's particularly striking here is Mellan's use of a single line to create this scene. This technique, known as the "swelling line," relies on the modulation of the line's thickness to create tonal variations, depth, and volume. The line functions as both outline and shading. The print challenges the viewer to consider the relationship between line and form. The consistent, unbroken line creates a sense of unity and flow throughout the piece. Through this formal technique, Mellan blurs the boundaries between drawing and engraving. He invites us to reflect on the materiality of the print, to see not just an image, but also the process and the idea behind its making.