Windroos, met tweeëndertig windrichtingen in zes talen 1652 - 1680

This print, “Windroos, met tweeëndertig windrichtingen in zes talen,” was made by an anonymous artist. The matrix was incised with fine lines, which then hold ink and transfer to the paper under pressure. This is painstaking work, requiring considerable skill and time. Here, we see a visualization of knowledge, etched and printed in a way that allowed its distribution. The relatively democratic medium of printmaking made it possible to disseminate all kinds of information widely – in this case, the crucial knowledge that sailors needed to navigate the seas. Notice the graphic quality of the print, with its dense accumulation of fine lines. The typography is incredibly precise and consistent, suggesting a well-organized workshop behind the production of this image. This speaks to the increasingly networked world of early modern Europe, where the movement of goods was tied to the movement of information. Ultimately, this print reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images can have deep roots in labor, politics, and consumption.