Vertrek van Willem III vanuit Hellevoetsluis, 1688 1722 - 1784

This print, made by Simon Fokke, captures Willem III’s departure from Hellevoetsluis in 1688. It’s an etching, a printmaking process that involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The material qualities of an etching—the crispness of the lines, the fineness of detail—lend themselves well to historical narratives. Etchings like this one were often made in multiples, a relatively inexpensive way to circulate images and ideas. It's a democratic medium, in a sense, making it possible to disseminate the likeness of important figures to a wide audience. Consider the labor involved: the skilled hand of the etcher, carefully rendering each line, and the labor of the printer, producing numerous copies. These are processes deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of the 18th century. Next time you encounter a print, remember that the story is not just in the image itself, but also in the materiality and the making.