Twee werktuigen 1652 - 1707

This print, titled "Twee werktuigen," was made by Gérard Edelinck sometime in the 17th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with tools called burins. The plate would then be inked and printed, leaving behind these crisp, precise lines. Here, we see two complex machines, both designed to lift and maneuver massive stone blocks. Look closely at the lower device. You can see the figures operating the lever to lift the stone, while the upper design shows men pulling ropes to hoist the block. What strikes me is the incredible amount of labor needed for such tasks before mechanization. Each line in this print memorializes that expenditure of human energy. It speaks to a time when architecture was a direct manifestation of brute strength and human collaboration, far removed from our automated present. The image is a window into the social and material conditions of the 17th century. It invites us to reflect on the sheer effort embedded in the monumental structures of the past.