Illustratie voor 'Den Arbeid van Mars' van Allain Manesson Mallet 1672

This illustration for Allain Manesson Mallet’s ‘Den Arbeid van Mars’ was created by Romeyn de Hooghe in the late 17th century. It’s an etching, made by incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing paper against the surface to create a print. The material qualities of the print, with its fine, precise lines, allows us to see a detailed depiction of the 17th century siege of the city of St.Gille. De Hooghe was a master of this technique, and was renowned for his ability to capture complex scenes. Here, the print's linear quality emphasizes the geometric precision of the city’s fortifications, contrasting with the more chaotic scene of the attacking forces. Etchings like this were relatively reproducible, and served an important role in disseminating information and shaping public opinion about military campaigns. The labor involved not only includes the artist's skilled hand, but also the work of printers and publishers in circulating the images widely. Ultimately, appreciating the print means understanding how its inherent material and mode of production contributed to its broader social and political impact.