Allegorie op het huwelijk c. 1595 - 1610

This print, Allegorie op het huwelijk, was made around 1620 by Gillis van Breen, and it’s an engraving on paper. The process of engraving involves cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then wiping it clean so that ink remains only in the incised lines. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. This was a highly skilled, time-consuming process, typically done in workshops organized around a master printmaker. The material qualities of the engraving – its crisp lines and tonal range – speak to the engraver’s mastery. The very act of meticulously carving lines into metal reflects the cultural values of precision and detail. The lines create the textures of the fabrics, the musical instruments, and the architectural background, all contributing to the overall richness of the image. By appreciating the labor-intensive nature of engraving, we understand the print not just as a visual representation, but as a testament to the skill of the artist and the value placed on craftsmanship in the 17th century.