Twee vrouwen in het gezelschap van Romeinse krijgslieden 1704 - 1733

Jacobus Schijnvoet made this print of women in the company of Roman soldiers, though the precise date is unknown. The image is made using a technique called etching. An etcher would have covered a metal plate, likely copper, with a waxy ground, then scratched an image into it with a sharp needle. Acid then bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines that hold ink. When pressed against paper, the image transfers, leaving us with the print. It’s a laborious, indirect method, quite different from drawing directly onto paper. Yet it allowed for the creation of multiple, identical images. Think of it like a proto-photocopy. In the context of the Dutch Republic, prints like this played a key role in disseminating knowledge and culture. The crisp lines and tonal range possible with etching were perfect for illustrating books or creating stand-alone artworks for collectors. So, by considering the labor, materiality, and social context of this print, we get a fuller appreciation of its cultural significance.