Sluiten van de vrede tussen de Republiek en Spanje, 1714 1714

Pieter Schenk created this print, "Sluiten van de vrede tussen de Republiek en Spanje," in 1714, using engraving. This intaglio process involves cutting lines into a metal plate, applying ink, and then pressing paper against the plate with a rolling press. The dense networks of lines that form the image speak to the labor involved. Engraving demands skilled craftsmanship and patience. Each line meticulously etched contributes to the overall texture and detail, depicting the signing of a peace treaty. But there's also a political dimension at play. Prints like this circulated widely, shaping public opinion and commemorating significant events. The act of reproducing images en masse democratized information, even as the skilled labor of the engraver often went unacknowledged. By focusing on the making, we can appreciate the multiple layers of meaning embedded in this historical artifact, from the artistic skill to its role in shaping collective memory.