Gezicht op de ruïnes van het kasteel te Nieuburg after 1739

Hendrik Spilman made this print of the ruins of Nieuburg Castle with etching, a printmaking process that involves using acid to create lines on a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The material qualities of etching lend themselves beautifully to creating a sense of depth and detail. Spilman skillfully uses fine, precise lines to depict the crumbling brickwork of the castle, and the texture of the surrounding landscape. Look closely, and you can almost feel the rough, weathered surfaces. The process of etching allowed Spilman to produce multiple copies of this image, making it accessible to a wider audience. In its time, this print would have served as both a historical record and a work of art, and it's a testament to the power of printmaking as a means of disseminating information and shaping cultural memory. It reminds us that art is not just about the final product, but also about the processes and social contexts that bring it into being.