Germaanse familie op jacht, figura IV 1614 - 1616

Nicolaes van Geelkercken made this engraving, ‘Germanic Family Hunting’, sometime in the first half of the 17th century, using the familiar materials of metal plate and etching tools. The image is made up of very fine lines, and the density and direction in which they have been incised gives a sense of form and shadow. Look closely, and you can see the artist's skill as an engraver, producing a work that appears spontaneous yet is controlled. In the context of the 17th century, the printmaking process was associated with commerce and wider access. This image shows a vision of family life, of course, but consider also how the clothing made from animal skins, the hunting tools and even the dog are all made and manufactured through distinct processes. These are the signs of the Germanic family’s labor. Seeing an artwork in terms of its making reminds us that every image and object has a history embedded in its production, one which reflects and shapes society and culture.