Jager met zijn hond 1662 - 1742

John Smith created this print, 'Hunter with his Dog' using the technique of mezzotint, sometime in the late 17th century. The mezzotint process involves roughening a copper plate with a tool called a rocker, creating a dense field of burrs that, if printed at this stage, would produce a solid black image. The artist then works back into this ground, burnishing and scraping away areas to create lighter tones. It is an incredibly labor-intensive method, and allows for the creation of rich tonal gradations, as we can see in the details of the hunter's clothing and the dog's fur. Prints like this were luxury commodities, catering to a growing middle class with an appetite for decorative imagery. The choice of mezzotint, with its capacity for detail and tonal nuance, speaks to a desire for refinement and quality that mirrors the social aspirations of its consumers. The depiction of leisure activities like hunting also reflects the values and pastimes of the elite. Looking at this print, it’s important to remember the many hours of skilled labor involved in its production, and how this contributed to its value as a desirable object.