Titelpagina voor de Europische Mercurius van 1712 1712

This is a title page for the European Mercury, dating to 1712, made by an anonymous artist. It is an etching, meaning that its fine lines are incised into a metal plate, likely copper. The plate would have been inked, and then printed under great pressure, transferring the image onto paper. The technique lends itself to intricate detail, which we certainly see here. But the choice of etching is also significant: it was a relatively efficient mode of reproduction, suited to the spread of information in print. Look at the allegory of the Tower of Babel looming in the background, surrounded by industrious workers with shovels. It appears here not as a cautionary tale, but rather a celebration of collective enterprise. We see other figures too, suggestive of civic order, trade, and perhaps most importantly, the circulation of knowledge. The artist has marshaled etching's capacity for detail to deliver a clear message: that communication, commerce, and construction are interdependent, and together serve as a civilizing force. This print shows us that materials, making, and context are linked, expanding the boundaries of traditional art history.