De koopvaardij, ca. 1600 1608 - 1610

Claes Jansz. Visscher created this print, "De koopvaardij," around 1600 using etching and engraving, processes that are as crucial to its meaning as the image itself. The sharp, precise lines are a direct result of the engraver's burin biting into the metal plate, while the more textural areas likely come from acid eating away at the surface in the etching process. Think of the skilled labor involved: each line meticulously placed, demanding immense patience and control. The printmaking techniques allowed for the mass production of images like this, fueling the booming Dutch maritime trade depicted. Notice how Visscher isn't just showing us ships; he's showing us the engine of capitalism at work. This piece exists because of trade, depicts trade, and was itself a tradable commodity. By understanding the means of its production, we see "De koopvaardij" not just as a picture, but as a document of its time, deeply entwined with the social and economic forces that shaped it.