Gezicht op Venlo 1858

This print, "Gezicht op Venlo," was made by Johann Gabriel Friedrich Poppel, though we don't know exactly when. It's an engraving, a process rooted in precise, repetitive labor. The image has been carved into a metal plate, likely copper, with incredible detail, and then printed onto paper. Notice the subtle gradations of tone, achieved through meticulous cross-hatching. Poppel would have used specialized tools to achieve this level of detail, tools that demanded years of experience to master. Engraving has a long history of documentary reproduction, making images accessible to a wide audience. Look closely and you can see evidence of the printing process; the slightly raised lines, the subtle texture of the paper. This work offers a glimpse into the skilled labor and industrial processes that underpin much of the art we see in museums today. By appreciating the materiality and making of this image, we can begin to understand the broader social and economic context in which it was created and consumed.