Tekstblad bij de prent van het beleg van La Rochelle, 1627-1628 1628

This text sheet accompanies a print of the siege of La Rochelle, made by Claes Jansz. Visscher in the Netherlands, around 1627-1628. It is a modest work, only about 17 by 22 centimeters, made with the intaglio process of etching. The etcher works into a metal plate with a sharp needle to create an image. The plate is then inked, and the ink wiped away, remaining only in the incised lines. Finally, it is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Here, the material and process are significant, reflecting the value of clear, replicable information during a time of conflict. The dense columns of text, organized with precision, mimic the layout of a printed book, an emerging technology at the time. The information about the city's fortifications, the location of troops, and a numbered index, all point to the intent to efficiently convey practical knowledge. This print demonstrates the power of the medium to disseminate information widely and quickly, reflecting the era's growing reliance on print culture and the increased commodification of knowledge.