Boerenherberg 1670 - 1724

Jacob Gole made this mezzotint, Boerenherberg, sometime between 1660 and 1737. Mezzotint is a printmaking process that relies on a copper or steel plate that is systematically roughened, creating an image characterized by rich tones and subtle gradations of light and shadow. To make this image, Gole would have employed a tool called a rocker to create tiny dots on the plate’s surface. By selectively burnishing or smoothing areas, he would have then controlled how much ink the plate held, thereby producing the tonal variations we see here. This laborious process requires significant skill and precision. Looking at the image, the texture and tones evoke a sense of atmosphere and intimacy, drawing the viewer into the scene of the tavern. The soft gradations of light capture the texture of the people’s clothing, and the smoke in the air. In its own way, mezzotint democratized image-making. Prints like this one made visual culture more accessible. Rather than being the preserve of the wealthy, art could be disseminated widely, reflecting a changing social landscape in the Netherlands.