Ormovs / Svrattte / Bantam / Damasco / Batavia / Iervsalem / Goa / Calecvth 1670 - 1672

This is a compilation print of engravings, made by an anonymous artist to depict various cities. The printmaking process is key here. It would have started with a series of drawings, translated onto metal plates, likely copper, by a highly skilled artisan. Each line meticulously etched or engraved, demanding a precise understanding of perspective, composition, and the burin's capabilities. The choice of printmaking speaks volumes about the intention behind the artwork. Unlike unique paintings or sculptures, prints are inherently reproducible. They were conceived as a way to widely disseminate information and perspectives. The scenes show locations such as Ormovs, Svrattte, Bantam, Damasco, Batavia, Iervsalem, Goa, and Calecvth. The repetitive nature of printmaking allows for a broad reach, which is in direct service to global trade. Each impression of this print carries the weight of labor, skill, and the ambition to capture a world increasingly connected through commerce and power. The print sits at the intersection of art, industry, and global exchange.