Sint-Janskathedraal in 's-Hertogenbosch 1859

This print, by Jan Frederik Christiaan Reckleben, shows the interior of Sint-Janskathedraal in 's-Hertogenbosch. It was made using engraving, a painstaking process. To create this image, the artist would have used a tool called a burin to manually cut lines into a metal plate. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see the crisp lines that define the architectural details and the figures within the cathedral. Consider the labor involved in such a detailed work. Each line represents a deliberate choice, a physical act of carving. In a way, the print becomes a record of time and effort. It also makes us think about how industrialization impacted art making, as other printing techniques like lithography emerged, which were faster. This image is a great reminder of the value of the handmade in a rapidly changing world.