Het schip Victoria, nr. 5 1559

This print, Het schip Victoria, nr. 5, was made around 1600 by Joannes van Doetechum. It's an engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see how the intricate details of the ship, the billowing sails, and the mythological sea creatures were all painstakingly etched by hand. Engraving was a skilled, labor-intensive process. The precision required a deep understanding of the materials. The image shows the elaborate decoration of a warship, loaded with symbolism and heraldry, which speaks volumes about the importance of maritime power and trade in the Dutch Golden Age. The ship is not just a vessel; it's a floating symbol of wealth and political power. Considering the making of this print gives us insight into the social context of the time. The print is a multiple, but the work is by no means mechanical. By focusing on materials and making, we understand its full cultural significance.