Schrijver in studeervertrek 1716

This print, “Schrijver in studeervertrek,” or “Writer in his study,” was made in Amsterdam around 1716, using etching and engraving. These are intaglio printmaking techniques, meaning that the lines you see were cut into a metal plate. Ink was then applied to the plate, and the excess was wiped away. The image was transferred to paper under great pressure in a printing press. The image shows a writer at work. Look closely, and you'll see that it's not just a depiction of intellectual labor. The print itself testifies to hours of meticulous labor to create the matrix. The publisher’s name is emblazoned on the print: Chez les Frères Wetstein. This reminds us that writing and printing were early forms of industrial production – commodities offered for sale. So, when you consider this image, think about the connection between the solitary writer and the busy workshop that brought his words to the world. It is the product of both intellectual and manual labor.