Gezicht op Surat, 1629 1632 - 1646

Adriaen Matham's "Gezicht op Surat," made in 1629, presents a distant view of the port city. Matham skillfully employed engraving, using tools to incise lines into a copper plate, which was then inked and printed, leaving us with this scene. Notice how the repetitive, meticulous strokes create a sense of depth and detail, from the ships in the harbor to the buildings along the coastline. Engraving was a key method for disseminating information and imagery during the age of exploration and global trade. The print depicts Surat during a time when it was a vital hub for the Dutch East India Company. The ships, rendered with precise linework, are indicative of the maritime trade and colonial ventures that were central to the Dutch Golden Age. Consider the labor involved in producing such a print, both in the engraving process itself and in the broader context of the trade it depicts. Matham's print serves as a reminder of the intersection of art, commerce, and global exchange.