Titelpagina van het boek 'Meditationes in magni Hippocratis' 1670 - 1672

This is the title page of ‘Meditationes in magni Hippocratis’ made in 1672 by Willem ten Rhijne, a Dutch physician and botanist known for his studies of Asian medicine. Produced using the technique of etching, the design is first composed on a metal plate, likely copper, using acid to bite away the unprotected parts of the metal, creating recessed lines. The plate is then inked and pressed onto paper, leaving the design in relief. The linear quality of the print, together with the texture of the paper itself, gives the object a tactile quality. The elaborate typography and ornamental details reflect the aesthetic values of the baroque period, yet also speak to the rising importance of scientific discourse at the time. As printed books became more widely available, so too did knowledge, contributing to the rise of intellectual exchange and the growth of a knowledge-based society. In this context, printmaking was both a medium of artistic expression and a crucial tool for disseminating new ideas, bridging the gap between craft, science, and society.