Komeet, 1618 1618 - 1620

Frans Hogenberg created this print, Komeet, in 1618. It's an engraving on paper, and the material itself is key to understanding its purpose. Prints like this were essentially knowledge-delivery systems in early modern Europe. The relatively inexpensive medium allowed for the broad dissemination of information. In this case, news of a comet sighting, mapped against astrological symbols. The crisp lines were achieved through careful work with a burin, a steel tool used to carve into a metal plate. Ink is then applied to the plate and paper pressed against it, transferring the image. The very act of engraving, cutting into the metal, mirrors the comet's cut across the night sky. Prints like this blur the lines between art, science, and journalism. They remind us that visual media have always played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world, and that the materials and processes used are integral to their meaning and impact.