Boerenerf met man leunend tegen een hek 1620

Claes Jansz. Visscher made this print of a farmstead, its title "Boerenerf met man leunend tegen een hek," sometime in the early to mid-17th century. He used etching, a method that involves coating a metal plate with a waxy ground, then drawing through it with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The physical work is very important. The artist’s hand is essential for the controlled, precise marks. Visscher likely printed many impressions, because prints were among the first forms of mass media. In his way, he was involved in a capitalist system of distribution. Note how the scene depicts a worker leaning against a fence, seemingly at rest. Does this hint at an interest in the life and labor of rural folk? Ultimately, the value of this print lies not only in its aesthetic qualities but also in its connection to the social and economic context of its creation. By considering the materials, making, and context, we gain a fuller appreciation for the meaning embedded within this artwork.