Titelpagina voor: J. A. Nollet, Natuurkundige lessen, door proefneemingen bevestigd, 1759 1759

This is the title page for J.A. Nollet's 'Natuurkundige lessen, door proefneemingen bevestigd,' made in Amsterdam in 1759 by K. van Tongerlo. It’s an example of engraving, a printmaking technique that was essential to the distribution of knowledge in the early modern period. Consider the making: the design would have been incised into a metal plate, likely copper, using a tool called a burin. Ink would then be applied to the plate and wiped away, remaining only in the carved lines. Finally, paper is laid on the plate and run through a press under great pressure, transferring the image. The crisp lines and tonal variations demonstrate Tongerlo's skill. But beyond aesthetics, this print speaks to the burgeoning culture of science and learning, and to the sophisticated networks of publishing and trade that spread new ideas across Europe. The labour and skill invested in this printing plate reflect a wider commitment to the dissemination of knowledge, part of the great project of the Enlightenment. So, next time you encounter a print, remember that it's not just an image, but a testament to the power of the printed word, and the labour required to produce it.