Gebruik van een meetlint geïllustreerd 1690

This print, *Gebruik van een meetlint geïllustreerd*, was made by Sébastien Leclerc I sometime before his death in 1714, using the technique of etching. This process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, protective layer, then drawing through it with a needle to expose the metal. Acid is then applied, biting into the exposed lines, which are subsequently inked and printed. The incisive quality of the etched line lends itself well to detailed technical illustration. The print demonstrates the use of a measuring tape in landscape architecture, showing how the instrument can be used to design formal gardens and buildings. It shows three distinct garden layouts, each meticulously planned with geometric precision. The level of detail suggests a highly skilled artisan, deeply knowledgeable about mathematics and spatial planning. The print underscores the intersection of art, science, and craft, highlighting how technical skills contributed to the aesthetic and functional design of landscapes.