Plate 7: German Envoys Visit Civilis, from The War of the Romans Against the Batavians (Romanorvm et Batavorvm societas) 1611 - 1612

Antonio Tempesta created this print, "German Envoys Visit Civilis," around 1612, using etching and engraving on paper. Look closely, and you’ll see that the image is a dense network of fine lines. Tempesta would have cut these into a metal plate with a sharp tool, and then applied ink to the recessed lines, before printing. The material of the print, and its mode of production, is critical here. Printmaking was, and is, a relatively democratic medium, capable of circulating images widely, and cheaply. Tempesta's decision to use printmaking is significant. It allowed him to disseminate this scene of political negotiation broadly. The print's sharp lines and dramatic composition draw us into the heart of this historical moment, highlighting not just the event, but the very means by which stories are told and shared.