Grotten 1603 - 1655

Herman van Swanevelt created this print, titled "Grotten," using etching techniques sometime in the first half of the 17th century. It is interesting to note the royal privilege displayed on the lower right corner of the print. As institutions of art developed in Europe, artists depended on gaining favor from powerful institutions. Note that this print is not simply a depiction of nature as it is, but rather an image that is mediated by social and institutional forces. The natural scenery is viewed through the lens of power, with the artist having to secure royal approval to disseminate his work. To understand this artwork more fully, we would need to research the patronage system of the time, examining the relationship between artists and their sponsors, and the function of the image. The history of art provides these research resources to explore this image's contingent social and institutional contexts.