Twee gezichten op de ruïne van Huis ter Kleef te Haarlem, 1740 1752 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman created these two images of the Ruin of Huis ter Kleef in Haarlem in 1740, using etching and engraving. The fine lines, the textures of the stonework, and the atmospheric perspective are all achieved through meticulous work with a sharp burin. The image is a testament to the engraver's skill, capable of capturing the subtleties of light and shadow, and the details of the ruined architecture. This was not only an artistic exercise, but also a commercial one, as prints like these were often sold as souvenirs or historical records. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed image, the hours spent meticulously carving lines into a metal plate. This artisan skill highlights the convergence of craft and commerce in 18th-century printmaking. Spilman's work reminds us to value not only the aesthetic qualities of the image, but the labor, skill, and social context that brought it into being.