Gezicht op het kasteel van Coulommiers-en-Brie 1651

This print of the Château de Coulommiers-en-Brie was made by Israel Silvestre sometime in the mid-17th century, using etching. This is an intaglio printmaking technique, where a metal plate, usually copper, is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called a ground, and the image is scratched into it with a needle. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink from the recessed lines to create the print. The technique, which was relatively new at the time, allowed Silvestre to capture incredibly fine detail, as you can see in the architecture and figures populating the grounds. What’s fascinating is how this new technology democratized the image, disseminating the prestige of the Château to a wider public. This elegant architectural achievement was rendered through an innovative method of production, showcasing the intersection of art, technology, and social status.