Gezicht op Nocera Umbra en gezicht op Castelnuovo di Porto te Italië 1596 - 1597

Abraham Hogenberg made this print of Nocera Umbra and Castelnuovo di Porto in Italy sometime in the 1600s using etching and engraving techniques. The lines you see are not drawn, but incised into a metal plate, likely copper. This would have been a labor-intensive process, requiring skill and precision to create a detailed and accurate representation of these locations. The act of incising, the depth and width of the lines, and the way the ink is held by the paper all contribute to the unique textural quality of the print. Prints like these were important for disseminating information and visual knowledge in a time before photography, serving as a way for people to see and learn about distant places. The print's existence speaks to the expansion of trade and cultural exchange during this period, with the labour of the artist, the engraver, and the printer all contributing to the circulation of images and ideas. By considering the materials and processes involved in its creation, we can better appreciate its historical and cultural significance.