Doop van prins Willem V, 1748 1750 - 1752

Gerard Sibelius created this print, *Baptism of Prince William V*, in 1748. It's an etching, a printmaking technique that depends on the corrosive action of acid to create an image in metal, which is then inked and printed onto paper. The fine, detailed lines are a direct result of this process. You can see how the artist used hatching and cross-hatching to create a range of tones and textures, from the grand architecture of the church to the elaborate costumes of the aristocracy. But beyond the aesthetic qualities, the choice of etching is significant. Printmaking allowed for the mass production and distribution of images. In this case, it broadcasted the prestige of the Dutch royal family. The skilled labor of the printmaker and the wider networks of production and consumption are all part of the story told by this seemingly simple image. So, when you look at this print, think about not just what it depicts, but how it was made and how that process imbues it with a deeper social and cultural resonance.