Allegorie op de naderende Vrede van Rijswijk, 1696 1696

This print, made by Pieter van den Berge in 1696, commemorates the coming Peace of Rijswijk. It's an etching, meaning the design was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with acid, allowing for the creation of multiple impressions. The material of the print itself influences how we perceive the image, with the fine lines creating a delicate, almost ethereal quality. Look closely and you’ll notice the social significance embedded in the printmaking process. Etching allowed for the wide dissemination of political and cultural messages. The skilled labor of the printmaker was essential in translating complex allegories into a visual form accessible to a broad audience. These prints were commodities, circulated and consumed, reflecting the burgeoning print culture and the desire for news and information in a rapidly changing world. Considering the material and its making helps us appreciate the print not just as an artwork, but as a vital artifact of its time.