Het paleis van de sultan van Marokko (plaat 5), 1640-1641 1646

Adriaen Matham made this print of the Sultan's palace in Morocco around 1640 using an etching process, a technique that was then revolutionizing the production of images. To create an etching, the artist first coats a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. They then use a sharp needle to draw through the ground, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves in the metal. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto a sheet of paper, transferring the ink and creating a print. The etching process allowed for the creation of highly detailed and nuanced images, as seen in the fine lines and subtle shading of Matham's print. It also allowed for the production of multiple copies of an image, making art more accessible to a wider audience, and stimulating early global trade in images. This print offers us a window into the past, revealing not only the appearance of the Sultan's palace, but also the techniques and social contexts that shaped its creation.