Monnik ontdekt bij boom door groep mannen met hooivorken en pieken c. 1749 - 1799

This monochrome print, made by Jacques Le Roy, shows us a monk discovered by a group of men. It's an etching, meaning the artist has used acid to bite lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely, and you'll see the characteristic crispness of line that this process allows. But this isn't just about technical skill; it's about the social context of printmaking itself. Prints like this were relatively affordable and could be widely distributed. This allowed for stories and ideas to circulate amongst a broad audience. In this case, the image depicts a scene with a clear narrative – the discovery of a monk, possibly suggesting themes of exposure or vulnerability. The choice of etching, with its capacity for detail and reproducibility, underlines the print's function as a medium for storytelling and social commentary, reaching beyond the realm of fine art to engage with public opinion. So, when we look at this print, we're seeing more than just an image; we're seeing a piece of social history, made accessible through the craft of printmaking.