Titelpagina voor: Aedo, Le voyage du prince Don Fernande, 1635 1635

In 1635, Marinus Robyn van der Goes created this title page for "Le voyage du prince Don Fernande" using the intaglio printmaking technique of engraving. Engraving is a labor-intensive process, requiring the artist to use a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into a metal plate. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure, creating a raised image. Look closely, and you can appreciate the fineness of the lines and the control needed to achieve such detail. The sharp, precise quality of engraving lends itself well to the depiction of heraldic symbols, classical figures, and ornate lettering – all visible here. The process of engraving, with its demand for skilled handwork, speaks to a pre-industrial mode of production, where value was placed on the artistry and time invested in creating an image. Considering the immense labor and artistry involved in printmaking reminds us to look beyond the image itself and appreciate the hands that brought it into being.