Strooien van broden onder het publiek, plaat 38 Possibly 1530 - 1620

Nicolaas Hogenberg’s "Strooien van broden onder het publiek, plaat 38" is a print work whose date is unknown. The material and processes used to create the artwork—the printing press—reflect a pivotal shift in the mode of production. Engraving enables the mass production of images like this one, a process tied to broader social issues such as the dissemination of information and potentially, in this case, commentary on wealth distribution. The linear quality and intricate detail of Hogenberg's work are direct results of the engraving technique, where the artist meticulously incises lines into a metal plate, subsequently filled with ink and pressed onto paper. This act of duplication raises questions about labor, politics, and consumption. Look closely, and you'll see the physical exertion of those distributing the bread, and those scrambling to receive it. Understanding the material and the making invites us to see the artwork not just as a historical record, but as a reflection on the mechanics of its own creation and circulation.