Gezicht op het klooster van Vreta 1694

This print of Vreta Monastery was made by Erik Reitz, using etching and engraving. See how Reitz coaxes three dimensions out of a flat surface through a labor-intensive process. By incising lines into a metal plate, he created a matrix that could then be inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you'll notice how the density and direction of these etched or engraved lines define the forms and textures of the architecture, landscape, and even the sky. The skilled labor involved in creating these fine lines, cross-hatching and stippling, speaks to a period where printmaking was both a craft and a means of disseminating information and artistic ideas. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, consider the print as a medium deeply embedded in the social and economic life of its time. It highlights how the materials and techniques of making are not just about artistic expression, but also reflect broader cultural values and systems of production.