Gezicht op het eiland Ternate, 1607 1644 - 1646

This print of the island of Ternate was made around 1607 by an anonymous artist, using etching on paper. The etcher would have coated a metal plate with wax, then drawn this image of Ternate through the wax with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. Next, they would have submerged the plate in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This process would be repeated several times to achieve the desired depth. The plate was then inked and printed, resulting in the artwork we see here. This process imbues the image with a specific quality: lines are crisp, clean and precise. What makes this artwork special is how it captures the social context of Ternate as a vital hub in the spice trade, particularly for cloves. This unassuming print is not just a picture, but a document of global commerce and colonial ambition. Recognizing the importance of materials, making and context, allows us to understand the profound significance of even seemingly simple works like this one.