Fries met tien vogels en een insect 1581 - 1656

This frieze, featuring ten birds and an insect, was made by Nicolaes de Bruyn, likely in the early 17th century, using the technique of engraving. Look closely and you'll notice the linear quality of the image, created by carefully incising lines into a metal plate, which then holds ink and transfers the design to paper. The fineness of the lines allows for detailed depictions of the birds' plumage and the surrounding foliage, and the choices of dark and light contrast evoke texture and depth. Consider the labor involved; each line represents a deliberate action by the artist, requiring skill and precision. The act of engraving, like other forms of printmaking, facilitated the wider distribution of images, making art more accessible to a broader audience beyond the elite. This print, therefore, is not just an aesthetic object, but also an artifact of its time, reflecting changing modes of production and consumption in the early modern period. Appreciating the work involved in its production allows us to understand the full significance of the artwork.