Portico's van de Noorderkerk 1631

This print depicts several porticos of the Noorderkerk, and was made by an anonymous artist using etching and engraving. The print is made up of lines incised into a metal plate, capturing all the fine details of the architecture, from the arches to the ornate carvings. This would have been a labor-intensive process, requiring a deep understanding of perspective to convey the three-dimensional qualities of the building. The choice of etching and engraving reflects a society where images could be mechanically reproduced. This made architectural designs accessible for builders and artisans to replicate, fueling construction and trade. The print is not just a representation of the architecture. It’s also a record of the skilled handiwork that went into making both the building and the image itself. It prompts us to think about the broader economic and social systems at play here, challenging any hierarchy between artistic and craft production.