Lam op het boek met de zeven zegels 1835

Philippus Velijn made this title page for a Catholic yearbook in 1835 using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. The fine lines you see were created by drawing into a waxy, acid-resistant ground on a metal plate. Acid then bit into the exposed metal, leaving behind incised lines that would hold ink. The plate would have been inked, wiped clean, and then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. This process allowed for multiple identical prints to be made. Notice the symbolic imagery: the lamb resting on the book with seven seals, a chalice and other religious objects, all meticulously rendered. The crispness of the lines speaks to the engraver's skill. The technology may have been relatively new at the time, but the aesthetic is deeply rooted in earlier graphic traditions. The mass production of images like these facilitated the spread of information and ideas, playing a significant role in shaping public opinion and cultural identity. It reminds us that even seemingly simple printed matter embodies layers of technical skill, artistic expression, and social context.