Gewapende Amsterdamse burgers trekken op ter bezetting van Nijmegen, 26 mei 1632 1780 - 1795

This print, made by Harmanus Vinkeles, depicts armed Amsterdam citizens marching to occupy Nijmegen in 1632. The printmaking process itself, likely etching or engraving, is crucial to understanding its role in society. These techniques involve laborious work: cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. This mode of production is not unlike that of producing arms. The image is starkly monochrome, giving a sense of tension. The building in the background gives a sense of place, while the lines of citizens give the scene a feeling of movement. Printmaking allowed for mass production and dissemination of images, making it a powerful tool for propaganda and shaping public opinion. In this case, the print might have served to glorify the military action and inspire patriotic sentiment among the Dutch populace. As with weaponry itself, the print is a technology of power, capable of influencing minds and mobilizing bodies.