Legerordening van het garnizoen van Parijs, 1660 after 1660

This print, Legerordening van het garnizoen van Parijs, was made by Albert Flamen in 1660. Its meticulous lines were achieved through engraving, a printmaking technique that demands a high level of artisanal skill. The process begins with a metal plate, traditionally copper, into which the design is cut using a tool called a burin. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under immense pressure in a printing press. The act of engraving is labor-intensive, requiring hours of focused work. Consider how the sharp, precise lines of the engraving contribute to the overall effect, lending a sense of order to the depiction of the Paris garrison. Each figure, each detail of the landscape, is rendered with exacting care. The very process of engraving, with its emphasis on control and precision, mirrors the order and discipline of military life. The print serves not only as a historical record but also as a testament to the skill and labor involved in traditional printmaking. It's a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are the product of intricate processes and human ingenuity.