Huwelijk van Jacoba van Beieren en Frank van Borselen, 1434 1650 - 1750

This print depicts the marriage of Jacoba van Beieren and Frank van Borselen in 1434, and was made with metal and acid. This intaglio process involves applying an acid-resistant coating to a metal plate, drawing the composition through it to expose the metal, and then bathing the plate in acid. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under great pressure. The matrix carries the authority of the image. The artist clearly wanted to convey the textures of the clothes, and of the architectural setting, as well as details of the clothing. The marriage scene is highly symbolic, and was aimed at preserving the interests of the political elite. The image is designed to give an impression of wealth and abundance. The very production of prints like these speaks to the development of the media and to the growing influence of the mercantile classes, who sought to record and promote events that served their interests. Appreciating the print means understanding the complex interplay of materials, techniques, and social context that shaped its creation.