Pijlenkoker en boog 1746 - 1775

This print, "Pijlenkoker en boog," or quiver and bow, was made by an anonymous artist using the intaglio printmaking technique of etching. The process begins with a metal plate coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called the ground. The artist then draws through the ground with a pointed tool, exposing the metal. Next, the plate is immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. Ink is then applied to the plate and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The fine lines and delicate details of the floral swag and weaponry design demonstrate the level of skill required to control the etching process. The choice of etching, a technique capable of producing multiple copies, suggests that this image was likely intended for wider circulation, perhaps as a decorative element, a source of inspiration for other craftspeople, or as part of a larger suite of prints. Looking at the image this way, we recognize that even seemingly simple images are the product of skillful labor, technical knowledge, and social exchange.