Soldaat houdt de laadstok van zijn musket recht voor zich, ca. 1645 1645 - 1647

This engraving of a soldier holding a musket rod was made around 1645 by Petrus Rucholle. Printed from a metal plate, likely copper, using the intaglio process, the design is incised into the surface, filled with ink, and then transferred to paper under high pressure. Notice how Rucholle’s skillful manipulation of the burin creates a range of tonal effects, from the dense, dark lines that define the soldier's figure to the delicate, light hatching that suggests the texture of his clothing and feathered hat. This wasn’t just about artistic skill, though. It was about the business of image-making, and the technologies of reproduction that were rapidly evolving at this time. The print medium itself speaks to broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Consider the labor involved in producing the print, from the mining of the metal to the skilled craftsmanship of the engraver and the operation of the printing press. These are all part of the story this image tells. By considering the materials, making, and context, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artwork's full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.