Geografie en gnomonica 1768 - 1771

Jean Charles Delafosse made this print titled 'Geografie en gnomonica' using etching, around the late 1700s. It shows the fields of geography and gnomonics through carefully arranged instruments and symbolic objects. The precision of the etched lines allows for fine detail, which gives a sense of texture and depth, especially in the rendering of the globes and architectural elements. The printmaking process, involving acid-etching of a metal plate, demands skilled labor and technical knowledge, reflecting the values placed on craftsmanship and intellectual pursuits during the Enlightenment. Delafosse wasn't just creating an image; he was participating in the wider dissemination of knowledge and the celebration of scientific achievement that characterized his time. The print straddles the line between functional diagram and artwork, reflecting a period where the boundaries between art, science, and craft were more fluid. Ultimately, it prompts us to consider how knowledge is constructed and disseminated through material processes.