Koekenbakster 1670 - 1724

This print, Koekenbakster, was made by Jacob Gole around the turn of the 18th century, using engraving and etching. These are laborious, indirect processes. The artist incises lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see a remarkable range of values, from the deep shadows to the bright highlights on the figures' faces. This isn't just a feat of technical skill; it's a way of capturing the textures and atmosphere of daily life. You can almost feel the warmth of the interior and the weight of the fabrics. This scene of a family preparing food is intimately connected to the economic realities of the time. Baking was a common trade, and prints like these were often sold to a rising middle class. The image speaks to the values of hard work, domesticity, and social observation. It’s a reminder that even the simplest images are made through labor, both in their creation and in the lives they depict.