Gezicht op de westzijde van de Zuiderkerk te Amsterdam 1685 - 1737

This is a print of the Zuiderkerk church in Amsterdam, made by Pieter van den Berge in the early 18th century. It is made using engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are cut into a metal plate, filled with ink, and then transferred to paper. The stark contrast between the black lines and the white paper gives a sense of depth and texture to the architecture. It is quite different than the experience of seeing the building in person. Engraving in the early 1700's was a skilled craft, demanding precision and control. Van den Berge's expertise shows in the delicate lines and shading, creating a detailed image. But it was also a means of mass production. Prints like this could be reproduced and distributed widely, allowing for the dissemination of information and imagery on an unprecedented scale. By considering the material and the process, we can better understand the artistic skill involved, and the social context in which it was made. This challenges the traditional hierarchies that place painting above printmaking, acknowledging the importance of craft in visual culture.