De grote zeeslag bij Duins (plaat 5), 1639 1640 - 1643

Claes Jansz. Visscher created this print of the Great Naval Battle at Duins in 1639, using the technique of engraving. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning that the image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The material reality of engraving directly informs the image we see here: the precision of line that defines the ships, the sky, and the figures, it is a testament to the engraver's skill. Consider how much work went into creating this image, the skilled labor, and the time required to produce it. We see not only a record of a historical event, but also an example of the detailed work that existed in the 17th century printmaking industry. It reminds us that every image, even those mass produced, have an origin in material and process.