Dichtkunst en Schouburg (Original Title) 

Romeyn de Hooghe created this engraving, Dichtkunst en Schouburg, sometime around the turn of the 18th century, using the incised line of the printing plate to convey the bustling energy of a theatrical scene. As a print, the image is inherently about reproduction, about making many copies of an original design for wide circulation. The precision of the engraving technique, a skilled tradition in its own right, allows for the creation of intricate details, inviting viewers to delve into the narrative complexities of the image. Notice how the artist was able to achieve a variety of different textures, from the soft folds of the costumes to the hard materiality of the theater's architecture. Prints like these were relatively affordable at the time, making art and cultural commentary accessible to a broad audience. De Hooghe’s choice of printmaking suggests a desire to engage with the public, blurring the lines between high art and popular culture.