Schuttersbrief van Ludolf Backhuysen (II) 1736

This “Schuttersbrief” was likely made in Amsterdam around 1696 using engraving, a printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see how the crisp, precise lines of the engraving lend themselves perfectly to the subject matter: a formal depiction of civic guards. The figures, symbols, and text are all rendered with meticulous detail, indicative of skilled craftsmanship. Engraving, as a technique, was closely tied to both artistic expression and commercial enterprise. Prints like these were not only artistic products but also tools for communication and documentation, widely distributed and consumed by the public. The labor involved in creating such intricate engravings also speaks to the era's burgeoning printing industry and its impact on social and political life. Considering the materials, process, and context enhances our understanding of this seemingly straightforward image.