Beleg van de Citadel van Antwerpen, 1832 1832 - 1833

This is a plan of the Siege of the Citadel of Antwerp, made in 1832 by Jan Oomkens. It’s an engraving, an intaglio printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, then filled with ink to transfer the image onto paper. Consider the nature of this choice. Unlike a painting, which presents a unique artistic vision, an engraving like this suggests a different kind of value. It's a mechanically produced image, meant for dissemination. Its lines are clean and precise, prioritizing clarity and accuracy. The map itself is less about artistic expression and more about conveying information for military or strategic purposes. This method of production speaks volumes about the social context of the time, with industrialization making it possible to reproduce images and texts efficiently. The engraving thus becomes an instrument of power, useful for managing and understanding the world, and projecting military might. So, while this may seem like just a map, it reflects a significant shift towards mass production and the increasing importance of information in shaping society.