Boeren op het terras voor een herberg c. 1623 - 1746

Jonas Suyderhoef created this print of peasants on a tavern terrace, sometime in the 17th century, using the technique of engraving. The process involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate, usually copper. Ink is then applied to the plate, pushed into the incised lines, and the surface is wiped clean. The plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the image. The incised lines give the print a distinctive, precise quality. The material and process link the image directly to the rise of print culture and the commercialization of art. Engravings like this one could be reproduced in multiples and distributed widely, making art more accessible. Consider the skill and labor involved. Each line meticulously carved by hand represents hours of work, which speaks to the economic realities of the time, when artisans relied on their craft for income. Understanding the materials, production, and context reveals the profound impact of craft on society and culture.