Mercurius verlaat Antwerpen; intocht van Ferdinand te Antwerpen in 1635 (nr. 34) 1640 - 1642

Theodoor van Thulden made this print, "Mercurius verlaat Antwerpen; intocht van Ferdinand te Antwerpen in 1635," using the intaglio process, where lines are incised into a metal plate, inked, and then transferred to paper under high pressure. Look closely, and you can appreciate how this technique gives the image its character: a crisp, linear quality that's ideal for depicting allegory. Here, Mercury, the god of commerce, departs Antwerp, symbolizing a shift in economic power. Van Thulden wasn't just making an aesthetic statement; he was commenting on the political economy of his time. Printmaking like this was the engine of information. It allowed ideas to circulate widely, influencing public opinion and shaping cultural narratives. By understanding the material and methods of its production, we see how this print is more than just a pretty picture – it's a piece of social commentary, a product of its time, and a reflection of the complex interplay between art, economics, and politics.