Keukeninterieur met een groot gezin 1735

This print, *Keukeninterieur met een groot gezin*, was made in the 1700s by Jacques Philippe Le Bas. The technique of engraving used to produce it is a fascinating one, involving a sharp tool called a burin to incise lines directly into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Here, the artist has used this linear, subtractive method to great effect, creating a scene of domestic plenty. The textures and tones are rendered through careful hatching and cross-hatching, a labor-intensive process that speaks to the engraver's skill and patience. In its depiction of family life, the print offers a window into the social context of the time, hinting at the roles of men and women, and the value placed on fertility and family size. Notice the contrast between the abundant food and the simple, functional tools of the kitchen. This speaks volumes about the labor involved in sustaining a household, and the intimate connection between work, family, and the material world. It also underscores the way that images like this were circulated and consumed – a visual form of social commentary.