Beleg van Damiate, 1219 1749 - 1759

Jacob Folkema created this print, Beleg van Damiate, 1219, using etching techniques sometime before his death in 1767. The print relies on the precision and detail afforded by etching, a process involving the use of acid to cut into a metal plate. The image illustrates the siege of Damietta, and the etcher's craft is evident in the fine lines that define the textures of the architecture and the figures involved in the battle. The contrast between the densely packed soldiers and the open sky, achieved through varying depths of the etched lines, imbues the scene with dramatic intensity. The process of etching allows for a high degree of control, with the artist manipulating the acid-resistant coating to reveal intricate details. The amount of labor involved in creating such a detailed print speaks to the cultural value placed on skilled craftsmanship at the time. Considering the labor and skill, and also the distribution of such an image, we see how the craft and material of this print reflect wider social and historical narratives.