Illuminatie van het Postkantoor te Amsterdam, 1788 1788

Carel Jacob de Huyser made this etching of the illuminated Amsterdam Post Office in 1788. The printmaking process – the careful scoring of an image into a metal plate, inking it, and then transferring that image onto paper – is itself a kind of industrial process. Look closely, and you can see the artist's labor etched into the lines, each one a testament to his skill. The image depicts the General Post Office in Amsterdam, aglow with lights. It’s a striking visual statement, a testament to the city's economic and political power. The very act of illumination speaks to the Enlightenment ideals of knowledge and progress. Consider the social context: Amsterdam was a major hub of trade and communication, and the Post Office was at the heart of this activity. This etching celebrates not just a building, but the entire system of exchange and governance that it represents. By focusing on process, material, and social context, we can fully appreciate the skill with which this print was made.