Mishandeling van de predikant Langerak, 1784 1784

This print, made in 1784 by Joannes Hulstkamp, is a copper engraving – a process involving meticulous labor. The design is incised into a copper plate, inked, and then pressed onto paper. The linear quality of the print emphasizes the chaotic scene: the "mishandeling" or mistreatment, of the preacher Langerak. The image becomes a form of political critique, enabled by the reproductive capacity of printmaking, which allowed for broad distribution to the public. The artist is commenting on social unrest, but also participating in a market economy of images. Hulstkamp’s choice of copper engraving is significant. It is a technique demanding precision and skill, yet also permits the creation of multiple identical impressions. This duality – skilled handwork combined with mechanical reproduction – reflects tensions between artistry, labor, and the burgeoning world of mass media.