XXXI Steeckt u in gheen gat of sieter deur 1614

This page, titled XXXI Steeckt u in gheen gat of sieter deur, comes from a book made by Roemer Visscher, likely printed sometime in the late 16th or early 17th century. The image of the leaping stag was created through the process of engraving. A design is incised into a metal plate – probably copper, given the fineness of the lines – which is then inked and printed onto paper. The real subject here is labor: both the artisan who meticulously cut the image, and the contrast drawn between those who work to defend their homeland and those who squander their resources on vanity. The print implies a hierarchy of making, contrasting the skilled work of defense with the perceived idleness of the wealthy. The material result is more than just an illustration; it's a commentary on the social values attached to different kinds of work, and how these map onto class distinctions. By considering the making and the message together, we get a richer understanding of this printed page.