Gezicht op het Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye in vogelvluchtperspectief 1655

This print of the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, was made by Matthäus Merian the Younger, sometime in the mid-17th century. It's an engraving, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with tools called burins and gravers. Look closely and you can see the crisp lines defining the architecture, and the texture of the surrounding landscape. The plate would then be inked, and the image transferred to paper under great pressure. The coloring was later added by hand, likely by workshop assistants rather than Merian himself. The printmaking process was a precise, labor-intensive method, requiring great skill and time, sharply contrasting with our contemporary modes of digital reproduction. This print wasn't just a picture; it was a valuable commodity, reflecting the power and wealth of the Château it represents. It reminds us that even images have a material history, deeply intertwined with labor, trade, and social status.