Wapens en insignia van Karel V, nr. 34 1559 - 1619

This print, made by Joannes van Doetechum in the late 16th century, captures the elaborate heraldry of Charles V in ink on paper. Engraving and etching, the processes used here, were relatively new technologies at the time, and rapidly democratized image-making. While a painting might take weeks, even months, to complete, prints could be produced in multiples, and at relatively low cost. This allowed for a wider distribution of information and imagery. Here, the sharp lines and precise detail are made possible by the engraver's burin cutting directly into the metal plate, while etching employs acid to bite into the metal, allowing for more fluid lines. This particular print bears the date 1558. Consider the immense labor involved in both the design and execution of this print, from the initial sketches to the painstaking work of engraving or etching the image onto the plate. The resulting print offered an accessible way to disseminate power and authority, reflecting how new technologies could be harnessed for political purposes.