Wapenkaart van oude geslachten van Utrecht, blad linksonder 1769

This print, titled "Wapenkaart van oude geslachten van Utrecht," was made by Johannes van Hiltrop, who lived from 1764 to 1814. It's an engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed image. Each line, each heraldic symbol, had to be carefully cut by hand. It's a process demanding precision and skill, a world away from today’s digital printing. The very act of engraving, with its repetitive, meticulous gestures, speaks to a different pace of life, a world where craftsmanship was highly valued. The print is not just an image, it's a record of social status. Each coat of arms represents a family, a lineage, a place in the social hierarchy. In this sense, the work can be seen as a commentary on the social fabric of the time. The value lies not only in the final product, but also in the process of making and its connection to society.