Bombardement van Algiers, 1816 1816

This print, Bombardement van Algiers, was made in 1816 by Nicolaus Heideloff. The printmaking process is especially important here. It is made by engraving a metal plate, inking it, and running it through a press. The effect is tonal, almost like a photograph. That is because the artist is using a technique called aquatint, where the plate is treated with acid to create tiny pits that hold ink. This allows for very subtle gradations of light and shadow. You really get a feel for the drama of the event. Consider the labor involved; first the engraver, and then the press operators who would have cranked out many impressions of this image. Prints like this were a key medium for circulating news and political opinion in the 19th century. They are examples of a pre-digital mass media. By focusing on the material and making of the work, we can understand the cultural significance of this kind of image.