Trondheims domkirke 1661

Jacob Mortenssøn Maschius made this print of Trondheim Cathedral in the 17th century, using the intaglio process of etching. With this technique, the artist would have covered a metal plate with a waxy ground before drawing through it with a sharp needle. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, leaving an image in delicate relief. The plate could then be inked and printed to create multiple impressions of the scene. Observe how the etched lines define the texture and form of the cathedral, from the rough stone blocks to the soaring spire. The quality of the line also gives us a sense of atmosphere, as if we are standing in a breezy square, looking up at the monumental structure. The print doesn't just depict the cathedral; it speaks to the social context in which both the building and the artwork were produced. Consider the labour involved in constructing such a massive building, and also the skill required to create this intricate print. In their own ways, both reflect the ambition and power of the institutions that commissioned them.