Het leger van Jacobus II verslagen in de slag bij de Boyne, 1690 1691

Pieter Pickaert created this print depicting The Army of James II defeated in the Battle of the Boyne around 1690. It’s made using etching, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then inked and pressed onto paper. Consider how the very act of printing democratizes art. Instead of a unique painting for the wealthy, an etched plate can produce many images, circulating them widely. Look closely and you’ll notice the density of lines and the labor-intensive process of creating each impression. The material qualities of the print are essential to its meaning. The stark contrast between the black ink and the white paper heightens the drama of the battle, and it also speaks to the wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. This print exemplifies the importance of materials and making, and the context for understanding an artwork, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.