Beleg van Tournai, 1709

This is Matthijs Pool’s ‘Siege of Tournai’, made in 1709, an engraving that depicts the military campaign of the same year. The printmaking process begins with an artist incising lines into a metal plate, which are then filled with ink and transferred to paper under immense pressure. This is a process deeply entwined with the history of capitalism, allowing for the mass production and dissemination of images. The fine lines and intricate details of Pool's map, showing the city's fortifications, streets, and surrounding landscape, demanded meticulous labor. The artist's skill is evident in the precise execution and clarity of the information conveyed. What we see, therefore, is not just a picture, but a material artifact created through skilled labor, time, and resources. Paying attention to materials, the methods used to shape them, and the broader context is key to understanding the deeper meaning of the work and the intentions of the artist, whether they are classified as art or craft.