Gezicht op de Notre-Dame te Parijs 1655

This is a view of the Notre-Dame in Paris, made by Matthäus Merian the Younger in the 17th century using etching and possibly engraving techniques. These processes involve using acid to bite into a metal plate, creating lines that hold ink. This print would have been made by applying ink to the plate, wiping away the excess, and then pressing paper against it. The crisp lines and fine details you see are characteristic of these printmaking methods. Look closely, and you will see how the quality of the etched line varies to create shadow and texture. Consider the labor involved in creating this image. Each line was deliberately etched, showing Merian’s skill and the time-intensive nature of printmaking. The print also speaks to the emerging culture of mass production and consumption in the early modern period. Prints like these made Parisian landmarks accessible to a broader audience, thus challenging traditional notions of art and its value.