Fondslijst van Nicolas de Fer 1705

This print, made anonymously around 1705, reproduces a catalog of works by Nicolas de Fer. It's an intaglio print, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, then inked and pressed onto paper. Look at the way the crisp lines define the architecture of the library, the figures, and most strikingly, the armillary sphere at the center. The linear precision speaks to the engraver’s skill, and the labor-intensive process of meticulously cutting the design into the metal. But consider, too, what this image represents: the commodification of knowledge. De Fer was a cartographer and publisher, and this print is essentially an advertisement for his wares, listing available maps and books. The very act of reproducing this catalog as a print underscores the commercial aspect of intellectual pursuits in the 18th century. The print then, is not just an image, but a document of the burgeoning information economy. It reminds us that even something as seemingly high-minded as cartography was deeply intertwined with the forces of labor, trade, and consumption.