Verovering van Île de Noirmoutier door admiraal Cornelis Tromp, 1674 1690 - 1692

Bastiaen Stopendael made this print depicting the Conquest of Île de Noirmoutier by Admiral Cornelis Tromp in 1674, using etching and engraving on paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice the linear quality of the print. This comes from the way Stopendael carefully cut into the metal plate with burins and needles. Ink was then applied, and the image transferred to paper under great pressure. The process allowed for the creation of multiple identical images, democratizing access to this vista of Dutch naval power. This wasn't just a picture; it was a statement. The meticulous process of printmaking mirrors the Dutch Republic's own industriousness. Each line, each ship, speaks to the labor and resources invested in maritime dominance. Stopendael invites us to consider how the act of making – the skilled hands, the technological means – is deeply intertwined with the social and political narratives of the time. So, next time you look at a print, remember that it's not just an image, but a testament to human skill and ambition.