Beleg en inname van Grave door Maurits, 1602 1602 - 1610

Bartholomeus Willemsz. Dolendo made this print in 1602, depicting the siege of Grave. The medium is etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive action of acid to create lines in a metal plate, which are then inked and transferred to paper. This was a method perfectly suited to the demands of early modern Europe. A single plate, through labor-intensive work, could produce many images, which could then be distributed widely. So, while etching may seem worlds away from digital mass production, it was a crucial step in that direction. Look closely, and you can see the tight, controlled line that etching allows, capturing the details of battle formations, fortifications, and the course of the river. This is not just a picture, but a kind of infographic – a means of disseminating information about a key military victory. So, in considering this print, it's essential to remember that the means of production are part of the message. It's a work of art, certainly, but also a carefully crafted piece of propaganda.