Vissersvrouw van het eiland Marken before 1689

This engraving of a fisherwoman from the island of Marken was made by Pieter van den Berge in the late 17th or early 18th century. As an engraving, it is a product of skilled labor, involving the precise cutting of lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The medium of engraving itself speaks to the historical context. It was a key technology for disseminating images and information widely in the early modern period. The woman’s clothing, so carefully described through the engraver's marks, tells us a lot about her social position and the traditions of her community. Her sturdy, practical garments suggest a life of labor, deeply connected to the sea. The artist’s meticulous rendering captures not only the woman's likeness, but also a sense of her place within the broader Dutch society. By focusing on the materials and making of this print, we can gain a deeper appreciation for both the artistry and the cultural values it embodies.