XI Keur baert angst 1614

This etching, titled "XI Keur baert angst," was made by Roemer Visscher, around the turn of the 17th century. It is comprised of a series of fine lines incised into a metal plate, likely copper. This matrix would have been inked, then pressed onto paper. Look closely and you can see the visual effect of this process. The sharpness of the lines gives the image clarity, while the dense hatching creates tonal variation. Notice how this is used to convey the contrast between the two trees, one flourishing, the other barren. This print comes from a book of emblems, which combine images and texts to offer moral lessons. Etching like this was crucial to the spread of knowledge in early modern Europe. It allowed for the relatively quick and cheap reproduction of images and ideas. The labor that went into the production of this etching ensured that these moral ideas would be disseminated widely. By attending to the material origins of this print, we recognize the importance of craft and industry in shaping cultural values.