Zeeslag bij Doggersbank, 1781 1781 - 1782

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this engraving of the naval battle at Dogger Bank in 1781. The printmaking process is incredibly important to understanding this work. Engraving, a process of incising lines into a metal plate and using ink to transfer that image to paper, was a sophisticated technology in the 18th century. The artist would have needed skills in metallurgy, toolmaking, and printing. This wasn't simply a means of artistic expression, but also of mass communication. Consider the amount of labor involved in creating each individual print, and then distributing it. Bendorp's choice of this medium reflects the growing importance of disseminating information and shaping public opinion during a time of political and social upheaval. The crisp lines and tonal range capture the intensity of naval warfare, while also underscoring the power of print to immortalize historical events and shape collective memory. Ultimately, by focusing on the material and methods of production, we see how this print participates in a much wider network of skilled trades, technological advancements, and the circulation of images in society.