Inname van Breda, 1590 1613 - 1615

This print, "Inname van Breda", was made in 1590 by an anonymous artist, and captures the siege of Breda. The etching process involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer, and then scratching an image into that coating. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away. Ink is then applied and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines, before being pressed onto paper. The resulting print is characterized by sharp, precise lines, and a graphic quality. The material of the print – and the printing process – profoundly influences the image’s meaning. The medium is capable of incredible detail, allowing for accurate representations of historical events, and the artist uses this to emphasize the amount of physical work involved in the siege. It reminds us of the labor and social context surrounding the capture of Breda. Paying attention to the material and making of this print offers a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical significance of the event it portrays.