Gevechten bij Chittat (China), 1662 1670

This engraving, showing the battles at Chittat, China, in 1662, was made by an anonymous artist. It is a print, meaning that many copies could be made and distributed widely. Look closely, and you'll notice the stark contrast of black lines on the white paper. The artist used a technique called etching or engraving, where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. This allowed for detailed depictions of the battle scene, from ships at sea to soldiers on land. The very process of printmaking—the labor and technical skill required— speaks to a world increasingly driven by trade, empire, and the circulation of images. Consider how the image was made to further understand the context in which it was produced and consumed, blurring the lines between art, commerce, and historical documentation.