Handelsetiket van David Barnaart c. 1681 - 1740

Around the 18th century, Isaac Vincentsz. van der Vinne created this trade label for David Barnaart using etching. The print's defining feature is its lines, achieved by drawing through a wax coating on a metal plate, which is then submerged in acid. This biting process eats away the exposed lines, enabling the plate to hold ink and transfer the design onto paper. The quality of the etched line—precise yet capable of great detail—is evident throughout. Note how it defines the stacks of books, the flowing drapery of the figure, and the decorative border. The figure of Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, holding a caduceus and a scroll, embodies the aspirations of trade and the exchange of information. This wasn’t just art for art’s sake; it was integral to the day-to-day business. The print embodies the intertwining of commerce, craftsmanship, and cultural symbolism. It prompts us to consider the value we place on both artistic skill and the practical necessities of economic life.