Drie bloemen, rechts een tulp after 1667

This small print, "Drie bloemen, rechts een tulp," held at the Rijksmuseum, was made using the intaglio process, where an unknown artist etched lines into a metal plate, likely copper. Ink would have been applied, then wiped from the surface, remaining only in the incised lines, before being printed onto paper. The stark contrast of lines creates texture that mimics the delicate surfaces of petals and leaves. Notice how the varying line weights give depth and volume to the tulip bud and daffodils. The artist’s skill is evident in the precise rendering of botanical details and the subtle gradations achieved through cross-hatching. Consider the labor-intensive nature of this process, where each line represents meticulous work. The print medium allowed for wider distribution of images, fueling a burgeoning market for botanical studies and decorative arts. By understanding its making, we see how this print bridges the gap between scientific illustration, artistry, and the economics of printmaking.