Gezicht op de Hogesluis en de Amstel, met de Weesperzijde en de Utrechtsepoort 1694 - 1697

This print, made around the turn of the 18th century by Jan van Call, gives us a glimpse into Amsterdam's industrious landscape. It's an etching, a process involving coating a metal plate with wax, drawing through it, and then bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites away the exposed metal, creating lines that hold ink. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see how the crisp, precise lines define the architectural details of the lock, the figures strolling along the bridge, and the windmills in the distance. The choice of etching is significant. It was a relatively inexpensive and efficient way to produce multiple copies of an image. This allowed for a wider distribution of visual information, documenting the burgeoning trade and infrastructure that defined Amsterdam's golden age. The print itself becomes a commodity, reflecting the capitalist spirit of the time. It is a way to make a product, to sell it, to show off the city in its best light, literally. The level of detail achieved in the image speaks to the skill and labor involved in its creation. It challenges any simple separation of art and craft.