Gezicht op Goes 1656 - 1662

Pieter Hendricksz. Schut created this print of Goes, likely in the mid-17th century, using etching or engraving techniques on paper. The image is defined by a network of fine lines, carefully incised to illustrate a bird's-eye view of the fortified city. The success of prints like this one depended on skilled craftsmanship, and the labor-intensive process of carving lines into a metal plate. It was a process geared towards mechanical reproduction. Consider all the windmills, and ships – technologies dependent on the expertise of millers, shipbuilders, and sailors. This print testifies to a culture shaped by trade and travel. The level of detail speaks to a desire for accurate representation and efficient communication, while the composition is a celebration of human industry and ingenuity. By focusing on material, process, and context, we can understand how prints like this one blurred the lines between art, craft, and social documentation.