Inwijding van de Synagoge van de Portugese Joden te Amsterdam, 1675 1721

This print by Bernard Picart shows the dedication of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam in 1675. Made with etching and engraving, it showcases Picart's mastery of line work and tonal variation. The image speaks to a specific moment in the history of craft and design. The dedication ceremony itself would have involved the work of many artisans, from the architects and builders of the synagogue, to the makers of textiles, furniture, and ritual objects within it. Picart was interested in the representation of such large-scale events, where the coming-together of people was facilitated by built structures and designed objects. Prints like this one played a key role in disseminating information and shaping public opinion. They involved a sophisticated division of labor: Picart, as the designer and engraver, relied on the skills of printers and publishers to distribute his work widely. In doing so, he documented not only the dedication ceremony but also the social and cultural significance of craft and design in 18th-century Amsterdam.