Titelprent voor 'Aeloude en hedendaegsche scheeps-bouw en bestier' van Nicolaes Witsen 1671

This print, by Romeyn de Hooghe, was made to introduce Nicolaes Witsen's book on shipbuilding. It is made with etching, a process that involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, which are then filled with ink and printed. The material character of an etching is defined by the artist’s hand; each line, hatched area, and tonal modulation reflects decisions made on the plate. This is an intaglio printmaking method, which allowed for fine detail to illustrate the Dutch shipbuilding industry. We see artisans at work, building ships, with a background scene of a bustling port and imposing figures looming above. These figures representing knowledge, commerce, and military power emphasize the Netherlands’ position in trade, the vast amount of manual work required, and the political context of 17th century shipbuilding. The artist used the capabilities of etching to show the economic importance of shipbuilding for the Netherlands, highlighting the amount of labor involved. Paying attention to materials and making helps us see the full scope of the artist's intention, beyond traditional divisions between art and craft.