Begrafenisstoet op weg naar burcht 1706

This print, “Funeral procession on the way to a castle,” was made by Bernard Picart sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century. It is an etching, a printmaking process that relies on acid to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. Picart’s use of line is particularly evocative. Notice how densely packed and uniform they are. The long, repeated marks produce a tonal range from light to dark, creating a dramatic contrast in the scene. What’s particularly interesting here is the sheer amount of work that Picart invested in the etching. This labour is integral to the print’s message, which shows a lavish funeral procession with endless mourners. Picart, in his way, is performing a kind of mourning through this detailed depiction of the event. Looking closely at how artworks are made gives us insight into their social and cultural significance, blurring the line between high art and the world around us.