Monnik wordt gedood 1721

This print, "Monnik wordt gedood," was made by Jacob Folkema in the 18th century. It's an etching, a process where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then filled with ink and printed. Notice how the etched lines define the scene, creating light and shadow, and giving the figures texture and form. This wasn't a quick process; each line carefully placed, demanding skill and time. The image shows a violent scene, with a monk being attacked. Prints like this were often made for a growing market of consumers, keen to collect images of historical or dramatic events. The labor involved, from the artist’s hand to the printing press, reflects a system of production and consumption. The value lies not just in the image itself, but in the labor and skill embedded in the etching process, a reminder that even in art, materials, making, and context are key to understanding its full meaning.