Verovering van Molsheim in de Elzas, 1610 1610

This print, "Verovering van Molsheim in de Elzas", was made in 1610 by Georg Keller using the reductive technique of etching. The material qualities are crucial here. Copperplate etching allowed Keller to render an incredibly high level of detail. Look closely, and you’ll see the textures of fields, trees, and fortifications. This wasn't just about aesthetics; printmaking at this time was a reproductive industry. Etchings like these were made for distribution, allowing a wide viewership to learn about contemporary events. Consider too, the labor involved. The original drawing, the careful work of incising lines into a copper plate, the application of acid, the repeated printing of the image. All of this combines craftsmanship and the demands of a growing information economy. This etching collapses any neat distinction between art and craft. It is a fascinating document of labor, material, and historical context.