Boer met kruik en pijp 1623 - 1653

This engraving, titled "Boer met kruik en pijp," or "Farmer with jug and pipe," was made by Pieter Nolpe in the 17th century. The image is produced by the incised lines of the engraving process, which have a graphic, etched quality. The work has been made through the controlled removal of material, using tools to transfer an image onto a copper plate. This method would have been a highly skilled and laborious process. The linear emphasis of the engraving results in details like the character's clothing, his features, and the barrel appearing very tactile. Nolpe has also been successful in creating a sense of depth and volume. The contrast between light and dark is also striking, lending the scene a dramatic quality. The finished prints would have been relatively inexpensive, made accessible for a wide audience. Ultimately, this is an example of printmaking, an important aspect of the craft history, but also deeply enmeshed with social and economic life.