Plattegrond van Charleroi 1720 - 1772

This ‘Plattegrond van Charleroi’ is an undated print made anonymously, using an engraving technique. The image gives us a birds-eye view of Charleroi, now in Belgium, and shows the landscape surrounding it. The sharp, precise lines were incised into a metal plate, likely copper, using a burin. Ink would have been applied to the plate, then wiped off the surface, remaining only in the etched lines. The print was then made by pressing paper against the inked plate. The print's visual clarity and detail speak to the engraver's skill. This wasn't just art; it was a form of technical documentation, essential for military strategy and urban planning. The repetitive lines suggest the labor involved in creating such a detailed map. The image highlights the intersection of artistic skill, technology, and societal needs. It reminds us that materials and making are deeply intertwined with the social and political contexts in which they’re produced.