Slag bij Chatham 1760 - 1801

Jan Bulthuis made this print of the 'Slag bij Chatham' using etching and engraving, processes that demand precise, skilled labor. The artwork is made with common materials, but there's nothing common about the result. Bulthuis created this image through a collaboration of labor between himself, the publisher, and the seller, to meet a need for visual documentation. He also depicts labor, the workers hauling goods in the foreground contrast with the battle raging on the water. The print captures a moment of conflict, but also hints at the commercial interests driving it. What strikes me most is that Bulthuis did not choose painting, sculpture, or drawing – but printmaking – to tell this story. Materials, making, and context all contribute to the artwork's significance, pushing beyond traditional art distinctions.