Plattegrond en opstand van het bouwwerk onderaan het grote waterspel te Karlsberg 1705 - 1706

Alexander Speculi created this print, "Plattegrond en opstand van het bouwwerk onderaan het grote waterspel te Karlsberg" using etching, a method of printmaking that relies on skilled handwork. The image shows an architectural structure, seemingly made of rough stone, with a theatrical facade and a complex water feature. The ground plan at the bottom gives us a sense of the structure's underlying geometry. Etching, as a process, allows for intricate detail and tonal variation through the careful application of acid to a metal plate. In this case, we see the artist's close attention to detail. The dense cross-hatching that defines the rocky surfaces, the textures and shadows are built up line by line. While appearing to depict a naturalistic scene, the print is, of course, entirely artificial. It represents a designed landscape, built by laborers, and captured through the skilled hand of the etcher. By appreciating the labor involved, we can understand how it bridges art, craft and social context.