Venetiaanse Maagd omringd door allegorische figuren 1715

This allegorical print, "Venetiaanse Maagd omringd door allegorische figuren," was made in Amsterdam by Jan Wandelaar around 1715, using the technique of etching. The stark contrast of black lines on white paper speaks to the incisive, graphic quality of the etching process. With careful lines bitten into the metal plate by acid, the image depicts the glory of Venice through symbolic figures and settings. The amount of labor involved in creating such a detailed composition, with its myriad figures and complex iconography, reflects the value placed on skilled handwork. This print wasn’t made as a singular work of art, but one of many, conceived for distribution. The careful labor contrasts sharply with the print’s intended function as a relatively accessible commodity. It prompts us to consider the relationship between artistic skill, commercial exchange, and the dissemination of cultural values in the early 18th century. This etching challenges any strict divide between art, craft, and the broader world of production and consumption.