Decoratie bij het huis van de heer G. Wiggers te Amsterdam, 1766 1774 - 1776

This print, “Decoration at the house of G. Wiggers in Amsterdam,” was made in 1766 by Noach van der Meer, Junior. It's an etching, made by drawing with a needle on a prepared copper plate, which is then inked and printed. The graphic quality of the lines is critical here, as it evokes the temporary decorations that would have adorned Wigger’s house. Notice the contrast between the solid architecture on the right, and the more ephemeral decorations, like the bunting at the top of the image. The image shows a procession and suggests that the house was decorated in honor of a visit, perhaps by a merchant or other dignitary. In its sharp, deliberate lines, etching could suggest both permanence and transience. The technique creates a feeling of civic pride, but also suggests a fleeting, almost theatrical event. It reminds us that while etched prints endure, the celebrations they depict are temporary.