Inname van Brielle, 1572 1752

Here we see Simon Fokke’s "Inname van Brielle, 1572", made sometime in the 18th century using etching and engraving. These printing techniques involve working an image into a metal plate, inking it, and then transferring it to paper. The material qualities here—the crispness of the lines, the subtle tonal gradations—speak to Fokke’s mastery. But beyond that, the print medium itself has social significance. It was a way to democratize images, making them available to a broad public. Look closely, and you’ll see the incredible amount of work that went into this image. Every line, every dot, was carefully placed by hand. Consider the labor involved, not only in the creation of the original image, but in the repeated printing of it. So, when we look at this print, we're not just seeing a historical scene. We’re also seeing the legacy of craft and the democratization of art. It reminds us that art isn't just about what's depicted. It's also about how it's made and how it circulates in society.