Gezicht op het IJ nabij het Oost-Indisch Huis 1694 - 1697

This print of the IJ near the Oost-Indisch Huis, made by Jan van Call in the late 17th century, is rendered through etching, a process involving acid and metal plates. Etching allowed artists to create detailed and reproducible images, essential for disseminating information about Dutch maritime power and trade. The technique itself involves coating a metal plate with wax, drawing the image, and then immersing it in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The plate is then inked and printed, transferring the image to paper. The dense lines and textures give a sense of the bustling port, its waves, ships, and architecture. The work speaks to the labor and materials involved in shipbuilding, seafaring, and international trade. These were activities integral to the Dutch Golden Age, but built on the exploitation of labor and resources from distant lands. By focusing on its making, we can see how this print not only depicts a scene but also embodies the era's complex relationship with commerce and craftsmanship.