Prospect of Yorke Castle at Tangier, from ye Strand, and the North-West 1669 - 1673

Wenceslaus Hollar made this print of Yorke Castle in Tangier using the technique of etching. This process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into it, and then using acid to bite away the exposed metal. The plate is then inked and printed. The image shows workers hauling materials towards the castle. It's a reminder that even the grandest fortifications depend on human labor. Hollar’s focus isn't just on the castle's architecture, but also on the effort required to maintain such a structure. The print captures a moment in the ongoing process of building and sustaining power. Hollar was a master of capturing fine detail through etching. By focusing on the workers, Hollar quietly acknowledges their contribution to the colonial project. It encourages us to think about the relationship between labor, materials, and the projection of imperial might.