Gezicht op de abdij van Aulne 1738 - 1744

This is an anonymous print of the Abbey of Aulne, rendered in ink on paper. An accomplished draughtsperson has created a detailed topographical scene here. Look closely, and you will see that it is comprised of countless tiny strokes, hatched together in a masterful feat of manual labor. The image gives us an aerial view of the Abbey, nestled in a valley. The perspective is expertly rendered. But this print is more than just a faithful record. The very process of its making is also significant. Each tiny line is a testament to the engraver’s skill, and to the intense, often unseen work that underpins the circulation of images in the pre-digital age. Consider the social context of printmaking at the time: prints like these were relatively democratic objects. They could be produced in multiples and disseminated widely. Yet this accessibility was predicated on the skilled labor of artisans, whose contribution is often overlooked in favor of the image itself. In appreciating this print, let's remember the hand that made it.