Allegorie op de tijd 1628 - 1689

Conrad Meyer created this print, ‘Allegory on Time,’ using etching and engraving techniques. These processes involve using acid to bite into a metal plate, creating lines that hold ink, which is then transferred to paper. Look closely, and you’ll see how Meyer's skill with the burin allows for incredible detail and texture. The image seems to convey that Time, in its relentless passage, tramples over worldly vanities. The specific medium of printmaking allowed this message to be widely disseminated during the 17th century. What's easily overlooked is the labor involved in this artwork’s production. From the mining of the metals used for the plate, to the skilled handwork of the printmaker, it's clear this work is a product of both technical expertise and a broader economic system. Recognizing the means of production helps us to appreciate this print not just as a statement of mortality, but as a material artifact deeply embedded in its time.