Announcement of the Lottery for a New Old Men's and Women's Home in Egmond-aan-Zee, 1615 1615

Claes Jansz. Visscher made this print in 1615 to announce a lottery for a new old men's and women's home in Egmond-aan-Zee. Its fine lines were achieved by cutting into a copper plate with a tool called a burin. The image is not just a picture, but a product of skilled labor. Consider how the proliferation of prints like this one reflects a shift in the art world. No longer were images unique paintings, tapestries, or sculptures destined for the elite. Instead, they were items of mass communication. The choice of copper as a medium is significant, too. Copper engraving allowed for detailed and reproducible images that could be disseminated widely. This speaks to a growing culture of information and exchange. The print also prompts us to reflect on the role of art in society. It was not merely decorative, but served a practical purpose. Visscher shows us how art could be intertwined with social welfare and civic life.