Stadsgezicht met een belegering door middel van greppels 1732

Jacques Rigaud made this print of a city under siege sometime in the early 18th century, using etching and engraving. The crisp lines and fine details of the image come from the engraver's art. You can see the sharp, precise lines of the architecture, and the shading gives depth to the scene, making the city walls and figures pop. The etched lines allow for a sense of immediacy to the scene, as if captured on the spot. This wasn't just art for art's sake. It was a way to spread information, and in this case, likely served a military purpose. The image depicts an active siege, and the labor involved in siege warfare and other military engineering projects becomes apparent. These types of printed images were used by military engineers to share construction techniques, and allowed knowledge to spread quickly. So, when you look at this print, consider the labor, the social context, and the artistry that went into its creation. It's a blend of craft, information, and design, all working together.