Beleg van Douai, 1710 1710

Pieter van Call the Younger made this print of the Siege of Douai in 1710, using etching and engraving. These are printmaking techniques, closely associated with the rise of mass media, but here used for a single, detailed image. Look closely and you’ll see that the entire composition is built from tiny lines incised into a metal plate, which would then be inked and pressed onto paper. The fineness of the lines speaks to the engraver’s skill, and the sharpness of the etching. This wasn’t just a commercial process; it was a highly refined craft, and one with its own aesthetic. Consider how the medium serves the message here. This map is all about precision, control, and military strategy. The print medium, with its demand for exactitude, echoes those same qualities. In the 18th century, this was state-of-the-art information. Appreciating how it was made gives us insight into its value.