Aankomst van Brederode te Amsterdam, 1567 1823 - 1829

This print, "Arrival of Brederode in Amsterdam, 1567," was made by Philippus Velijn in the early 19th century. The printmaking technique used here is line engraving. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve lines into a metal plate, which would then be inked and printed. The image shows a boat approaching a city, its occupants gesturing enthusiastically. The labor involved in creating a print like this is considerable. Each line must be carefully considered and precisely executed. The quality of the print depends on the skill of the engraver, and the amount of time they are willing to spend on the project. Prints such as this are intimately tied to the rise of the merchant class, circulating images and information, forming a shared visual culture, and shaping public opinion. This example prompts us to consider the labor and skill involved in the production process, and its connection to wider social and historical contexts.