Markt en handel in Bantam 1682 - 1733

This print, "Markt en handel in Bantam," was made by Romeyn de Hooghe, a Dutch artist active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It's an etching, a process involving the use of acid to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. Here, the material qualities of the print—its linear precision, the crisp contrast between black and white—lend themselves well to depicting the hustle and bustle of a busy trading port. De Hooghe captures the sheer volume of goods and people involved in this global exchange, offering a glimpse into the labor and logistics that fueled the Dutch Golden Age. Notice the detailed rendering of architectural structures, like the warehouses and trading posts, underscoring the intersection of commerce, craftsmanship, and colonialism. This etching isn't just an image; it’s a material record of a specific moment in history, revealing the complex relationship between art, trade, and the social realities of its time.