Illustratie voor 'Den Arbeid van Mars' van Allain Manesson Mallet 1672

This illustration for Allain Manesson Mallet’s book, ‘The Works of Mars,’ was made by Romeyn de Hooghe around the turn of the 18th century. It's an etching, created by incising lines into a metal plate, applying ink, and then pressing the plate onto paper. The controlled, precise lines of the etching process lend themselves well to technical illustration. Here, the artistry lies in the details: the rendering of perspective, the depiction of fortifications, and the chaos of battle. The printmaking process itself— a form of reproduction—mirrors the industrialization of warfare during this period. Consider the labor involved: from the mining of metal for cannons and plates, to the skilled work of the etcher and printer, to the soldiers themselves. All are elements in a larger economic and political system. De Hooghe's illustration invites us to consider the social context of warfare, and the human cost behind the strategies. It demonstrates the way in which fine art is always connected to broader issues of labor and power.