Hondenwedstrijd 1596

This print, titled "Hondenwedstrijd" or Dog Competition, was made by Theodor de Bry around the late 16th century. It's an engraving, which means the artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a metal plate, likely copper. This required immense skill. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the carved lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Look closely and you will see the quality of the lines. De Bry was part of a larger printmaking industry at the time; prints were relatively inexpensive and circulated widely, serving as a primary way to distribute visual information. Printmaking like this represents a crucial stage in the development of mass media. It allowed images and ideas to spread across Europe, contributing to the circulation of knowledge during the Renaissance. Next time you see a print, remember all the steps involved – and the way that this process democratized artmaking, making images available to a broad public.