Doedelzakspeler 1623 - 1652

This engraving, *Doedelzakspeler*, was made by Pieter Nolpe in the 17th century. It presents a bagpipe player, meticulously rendered through the incised lines of the printmaking process. Engraving is a medium dependent on touch, on the material properties of metal and ink, and on the skill of the artist to translate image into line. Nolpe’s image is not just a representation, but also a product of the labor invested in its creation. Note the level of detail achieved with simple tools: the feathered cap, the folds of the musician's garment, and the texture of the bagpipe itself. Prints like this would have been made for wide distribution. The resulting image, while seemingly modest, opens a window onto the world of labor, skill, and accessibility that underpins all material culture. Nolpe asks us to consider the complex relationship between art, work, and everyday life.