De intocht van Maria de' Medici te Amsterdam in 1638 (plaat 5) 1638 - 1639

Jan Martszen de Jonge made this print of Maria de' Medici's ceremonial arrival in Amsterdam in 1638, using the intaglio process of etching. This is a printmaking technique that relies on acid to bite into a metal plate, creating lines that hold ink. The fine, precise lines of the etching beautifully capture the textures of the horses, the riders' clothing, and their elaborate hats. But beyond this demonstration of skill, the choice of printmaking itself carries social meaning. This was a reproductive medium, capable of being editioned and widely distributed. Consider the number of impressions that could be made from one plate. It suggests a desire to disseminate this image of power widely to the masses. The very act of etching, with its combination of skilled hand-work and mechanical reproduction, blurs the boundaries between craft and fine art. It reminds us that all images, even those depicting grand occasions, are ultimately products of labor, politics, and consumption.