# The Wise and Foolish Virgins, plate five

**Abraham Bosse** (French, 1602–1676)  
1635  
Engraving and etching on ivory laid paper  
Image: 21.8 × 32 cm (8 5/8 × 12 5/8 in.); Sheet: 42.2 × 32 cm (16 5/8 × 12 5/8 in.)

Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1937.138. [The museum's record](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/23553).

## About this work

Abraham Bosse made this in 1635, aged 33. It is now at the Art Institute of Chicago.

### What you’re looking at

A work made of engraving and etching on ivory laid paper.

_Description from the Art Institute of Chicago._

### How it was made

- **Etching.** The artist draws with a needle through a waxy coating on a copper plate, and acid bites the exposed lines. The plate is then inked, wiped and printed under pressure, so the line keeps the freedom of drawing.
- **Engraving.** Lines cut directly into a metal plate with a steel burin, which makes them swell and taper. It took years to master, and for centuries it was how paintings travelled as pictures.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Abraham Bosse](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/abraham-bosse)

French, 1602–1676

## Facts

- Type: Print
- Culture: France
- The artist was 33
- Real size: about 8½ × 13 in (21 × 32 cm). The 11 × 14 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 17th century
- Colour: white
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/98.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/98/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-wise-and-foolish-virgins-plate-five-aic-23553).