Ronde cartouche met de Diomedeseilanden 1595

This image is a Ronde cartouche met de Diomedeseilanden, made by an anonymous artist using engraving techniques. Engraving is a printmaking process where an image is incised onto a plate, often copper, which is then inked and used to create impressions on paper. The fineness of line and detail here speak to the hand skills of the engraver, who would have used specialized tools to carve the image into the metal. Note how the lines vary in thickness to create a sense of depth and shadow. This was a laborious process that required significant training and expertise. The print medium allowed for the wide dissemination of information. Consider the economic implications of this technology. This cartouche wasn't just an aesthetic object. It was also a commodity produced and distributed within a burgeoning market for maps and geographical knowledge, reflecting the commercial networks of its time. The material and the making are therefore crucial to understanding this image, challenging any separation of art, craft, and commerce.