1690
Gebruik van de passer
Sébastien Leclerc I
1637 - 1714Location
RijksmuseumListen to curator's interpretation
Curatorial notes
This print, *Gebruik van de Passer*, was made by Sébastien Leclerc I around the turn of the 18th century. The process here is etching, a technique that allows for precise, repeatable lines. Consider the material reality of this print, how the artist used metal plates and acid to transfer this image onto paper. The very essence of the artwork is the reproduction of technical knowledge. It demonstrates the use of drafting instruments, presenting geometry as a practical skill. This image is about applied knowledge. It evokes the world of workshops and ateliers, where such skills were essential for crafting and design. The print acts as a record, freezing a moment of instruction and insight, suggesting the dignity of labor and the transmission of knowledge.