Beleg en verovering van Lingen, 1597 1621 - 1622

This print, made anonymously in 1597, depicts the siege and conquest of Lingen. It's an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, using a tool called a burin. The lines carved into the plate hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. Look closely, and you can see how the varying thickness and density of these lines create shading and texture, giving depth to the scene. The choice of printmaking as a medium is significant here. Unlike a unique painting, prints can be reproduced and disseminated widely. This made them ideal for spreading information – or propaganda – about current events like battles. The level of detail, achieved through skilled labor and technical processes, gives us a glimpse into the social and political context of the time. It speaks to the importance of documenting and communicating power, solidifying the engraver's role in shaping public perception. Printmaking democratized image-making, but its use here clearly serves those in power.