Vuur 1613 - 1720

This engraving, "Vuur," or "Fire," was made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger. Look closely, and you can see how the linear quality of the etching process defines the image. Van de Passe used a sharp tool to cut lines into a metal plate. This is an intaglio printmaking technique, where the ink settles into the incised lines. When the plate is pressed against paper, the image is transferred. The crispness of the etched lines gives the image its distinctive quality. The process is labor-intensive, requiring skill in metalworking and design. Printmaking like this was at the intersection of craft and industry, making images accessible to a wider audience. This engraving is not just a work of art, but also a product of skilled labor, reflecting the social and economic context of its time. Appreciating the material and making process enhances our understanding and challenges art and craft boundaries.