Ontvangst van prinses Maria Stuart in Engeland, 1689 1689

Pieter Pickaert created this print in 1689, depicting the arrival of Princess Mary Stuart in England. It’s an etching, made by incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. This was a particularly democratic medium during this period. The material of the print, and the labor that went into it, are essential to understanding its impact. Each line, each detail, meticulously carved into the metal, speaks to the hours of work required, and also the possibility of mass production, and dissemination of images that could be consumed relatively cheaply. We see a crowd gathered at the shore, ships on the horizon, all rendered in fine detail. The etching captures a moment of political significance. Prints like these played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and documenting historical events. The act of making, from the artist's hand to the printing press, imbued these prints with the power to influence and inform a wider audience.