Titelpagina voor: 'Fanny Wilkes', 1788 1751 - 1816

Reinier Vinkeles created this title page in 1788 using etching and engraving, processes rooted in craft traditions. The fine lines and tonal variations you see are achieved by incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The crispness of the lines suggests Vinkeles was highly skilled in these techniques. The labor-intensive nature of etching and engraving reflects a pre-industrial era where skilled handwork was central to the production of images. In Vinkeles's time, printmaking was becoming increasingly important for disseminating information and illustrating books, leading to the growth of a specialized artisan class. By appreciating the craft involved, we can see how techniques like etching and engraving contribute to a broader understanding of both artistic expression and the socio-economic context in which they were made.