Het drukkersmerk van de uitgevers Wetstein te Amsterdam 1783

This printer’s mark was made in Amsterdam by the Monogrammist ASD. It is an etching, a technique that uses acid to incise an image into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. Etchings like this depend on a division of labor. The artist creates the composition and meticulously etches the plate. But the printmaker is the one who truly brings the image into being, through careful inking and pressure. This is a craft skill, requiring years of experience to master. The crisp lines and delicate shading of this print show both the artist’s skill and the printer’s expertise. This image, with its classical motifs, conveys the printer's aspirations to high culture. But it's also a product of a complex social and economic system. The paper, the ink, the press, the labor – all are part of the equation. Considering these factors allows us to appreciate the full depth of this seemingly simple image.