Handelsetiket van John Brunick c. 1681 - 1740

This small trade card for John Brunick was made by an anonymous artist, almost certainly using the technique of wood engraving. To make this kind of print, you would take a block of wood, cut against the grain, and then use sharp tools called gravers to carve away the areas that you don't want to print. The remaining raised lines would then be inked and pressed onto paper. The image features a coat of arms encircled by the name John Brunick, giving a sense of solidity and texture to the small printed card. We can think about this print as an important artifact related to early capitalism and trade. It shows that commercial endeavors relied heavily on craftsmanship to produce visual material that promoted trade and economic development. Considering such prints helps us move beyond traditional notions of fine art and appreciate the rich history of skilled trades.