Bloedbad voor de muren van een brandende stad 1742

Martin Speer created this etching, *Bloedbad voor de muren van een brandende stad*, with metal and acid. He would have coated a copper plate with wax, then used a sharp tool to draw the scene. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. The image shows a scene of utter devastation. Look closely, and you'll see the chaotic texture built up from so many tiny etched marks. With cross-hatching, Speer created both the smoky atmosphere and the emotional weight of the image. It's a powerful testament to the skills of a printmaker. This was before photography, so printmaking was crucial for disseminating information and shaping public opinion. Etchings like this one brought dramatic scenes to a wide audience. The process, while technical, allowed for a handmade quality, making the horror of the scene all the more palpable. By understanding the process, we can appreciate how Speer used the possibilities of his medium to amplify the message.