Fries met twee kurassen 1572

This print, made by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, depicts a collection of arms and armor. The work’s fine lines evidence its creation through the labor-intensive process of engraving, a technique that depends on meticulously incising an image onto a metal plate. Consider how the print's monochromatic palette encourages the appreciation of the armaments' inherent qualities, their substance, texture, weight, and form. The details evoke a sense of the social context in which such objects were crafted and used. Armor-making was a skilled trade, tied to the economics of warfare and power. This type of print would have served as a record, circulating knowledge of armour design and acting as a source of inspiration for artisans and patrons. Appreciating this print invites us to recognize that the production of arms and armor was deeply enmeshed with artistic and cultural practices, rather than being a simple craft.