Doorbreken van de Franse linies in Vlaanderen, 1705 1712 - 1715

Johann Jakob Kleinschmidt made this print, "Doorbreken van de Franse linies in Vlaanderen, 1705", sometime in the early 18th century. It's made using an engraving technique, where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The graphic clarity of the image is crucial here. It would have been made to disseminate information about this military event – a kind of early photojournalism. Notice how much work went into it, how each line of the engraving had to be carefully cut, and how many impressions were made from the plate. Think about the skilled labor of the engraver, and then the labor needed for the printing process itself. These graphic images, like this one, were a very important engine for commerce and for social exchange. In an age before mass media, prints like this were essential in shaping public opinion and spreading propaganda. The artistry is undeniable, but so is the economic and political context that made it possible.