Gezicht op kasteel Rijnenburg 1698

This print, titled "Gezicht op kasteel Rijnenburg," or "View of Rijnenburg Castle," was made by Jan Broedelet. It's an etching, meaning the artist would have coated a metal plate with wax, drawn an image into the wax with a sharp needle-like tool, and then bathed the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, leaving behind an impression that can then be inked and printed. The real subject here isn't the castle itself, but rather the technique of etching. Unlike painting or sculpture, printmaking is inherently reproducible. It democratizes images, making them available to a wider audience. Consider the amount of labor involved: from the preparation of the metal plate to the precise application of ink, each step demands skill and patience. By focusing on the process, Broedelet's print invites us to think about the relationship between art, labor, and social class. It bridges the gap between the fine arts and the skilled trades, reminding us that all art is made by human hands.