Gezicht op de Oude Kerk te Amsterdam

This print of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam was made by Pierre Fouquet in the late 18th century, using etching and hand-coloring. The linear precision comes from the etching process, where the design is bitten into a metal plate with acid, allowing for finely detailed lines. But it is the hand-coloring, applied afterwards, that really brings the image to life. Notice how the subtle washes of color give depth to the architecture and foliage, and animate the water. Prints like these were essentially a form of mass production, making images accessible to a wide audience. Fouquet was part of a family of printmakers and publishers, operating within a capitalist system where art became a commodity. The labor-intensive process of hand-coloring meant that each print was a unique product of skilled craftsmanship, but made within a factory setting. Considering the intricate materials, skilled making, and historical context of this print challenges traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.