Figuren bij een bijenkorf 1736

This print, made in Amsterdam in 1736 by Hs. Henke, introduces a play, “Het Hofstee Leeven.” It's rendered through engraving, a meticulous process involving carving lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The precision of this technique allows for intricate detail, evident in the depiction of figures near a beehive. But beyond just an illustration, it is the bee hive that I am drawn to. Beehives have long been symbols of industry, cooperation, and a highly structured society, reflecting the social values of the time. The printing process itself, requiring skilled labor and specialized tools, mirrored these values. The work put into it reflects a society that prized both craft and collective effort. Looking at this print, we can think about the labor behind its creation, and how it resonates with the themes of work and society represented within the image itself. By understanding the material and making, we can delve deeper into its cultural significance.