Paardenslee 1608

This print of a horse-drawn sleigh was made by Jacob van der Heyden, sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th century. It is made of ink on paper, through the laborious process of engraving. The texture of this piece is achieved through precise cuts into a metal plate, a process demanding a high degree of skill. This reflects a well-established printmaking industry, which depended on networks of workshops and an economy of expertise. Look closely, and you can see the many tiny lines that construct the image. The making of this print would have involved many hours of focused labor, a fact that underscores its value as a luxury item, made for an elite market. Printmaking was a powerful tool for disseminating images and ideas, but it also involved strict hierarchies of production and consumption. Paying attention to the materials and the making of the print allows us to reflect on these social and economic conditions.