Voorzichtig reizen after 1585

This image, titled "Voorzichtig reizen," was made by Marcus Gheeraerts sometime between 1520 and 1590, using the process of etching. Consider how the etched lines form the basis of the image, creating depth and shadow. Gheeraerts would have coated a metal plate with wax, then scratched away lines to expose the metal. When dipped in acid, these lines would be eaten away, creating grooves that would hold ink for printing. Notice the density of lines in the foreground vegetation, and on the figures' clothing, creating areas of visual weight. The sky and distant hills, by contrast, are much lighter. While printmaking has often been seen as a reproductive medium, distinct from unique artworks, etching, like engraving, required tremendous skill and artistic judgment. Here, the material qualities of ink and paper are crucial to the overall effect. They invite questions about labor, skill, and how images circulated in early modern Europe. By focusing on these aspects, we can appreciate the true complexity of this seemingly simple image.