De geest van Erasmus verlaat Rotterdam, 1720 1720

This print, "The Spirit of Erasmus Leaves Rotterdam," was made around 1720 by an anonymous artist. It's an etching, which means the artist would have used a sharp needle to draw into a metal plate covered with wax. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites away the exposed lines, allowing for multiple impressions to be made. Etchings like this were often used for satirical political commentary. Here, the rough, graphic quality of the print adds to its critical tone, making it a piece of popular protest rather than high art. Note how the figures are rendered with an almost crude directness. The image is packed with symbolism, most of which is critical of financial machinations in Rotterdam. Erasmus, the great humanist scholar, is shown departing, with documents representing Rotterdam’s wealth literally going up in smoke. This print exemplifies how a relatively inexpensive medium like etching could be used to engage in public discourse. It offered a way to disseminate ideas widely, challenging established power structures through its critical imagery. So, next time you look at an artwork, think about its making, and how that process connects to the world around it.