Vogelvluchtperspectief van land dat bewerkt wordt, mogelijk Saint-Amand bij Parijs 1637

This print, made by J. Hattu, offers a bird's-eye view of land cultivation, possibly near Saint-Amand, Paris. It's an etching, a process where lines are incised into a metal plate, which then holds ink to transfer the image onto paper. The material of the print, humble as it is, bears witness to a world of labor. We see the various stages of agricultural work: plowing, sowing, harvesting, and transport. The linear precision of the etching technique allows Hattu to detail the textures of fields, foliage, and figures. The landscape is carefully organized, reflecting a human imposition of order on the land. This act of cultivation transforms nature into a resource, a key dynamic of early capitalism. The print makes us consider the immense human effort involved in producing the food that sustains society. It also reminds us that even seemingly simple images can carry complex social and economic meanings.