Hoer van Babylon en de vernietiging van Babylon 1563 - 1574

This print, "The Whore of Babylon and the Destruction of Babylon," was made in the late 16th century by Gerard van Groeningen. It is an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, and then printed. Look closely, and you can see the lines created by the engraver's tool, which give the image its form and texture. The process would have been labor-intensive, requiring skill and precision to create the intricate details. Prints like these were a means of disseminating images and ideas widely, like a pre-modern form of mass media. In this case, the subject matter is a biblical scene, laden with social commentary. Notice the contrast between the opulence of the Whore and the destruction surrounding her. The act of engraving, itself a product of technological advancement, serves to amplify a message about the dangers of excess and moral decay. It reminds us that materials and making are always intertwined with meaning.