Gy, jeugd! die 't speelen bly bemint, / Het kind kan nooit vermaak ontbeeren; / 't is kinderspel wat gy hier vindt. / Deez' prent verschaft het u, by het leeren 1761 - 1804

This print was made by Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont, using an engraving technique. This was a reproductive method, a way of circulating images widely and cheaply, which speaks to its social context. Engraving involves cutting lines into a metal plate, applying ink so it sits within those recessed lines, and then pressing paper against the plate to transfer the image. Look closely, and you can see the crisp precision the technique allows. It is a labor-intensive process, demanding skilled handwork to create such detail. Consider too, the social implications. This wasn't fine art for a wealthy patron, but a printed sheet, likely sold at a modest price. Its subject matter, children at play, is very much in keeping with this broader reach. So, next time you encounter an engraving, remember the handwork involved, the ingenuity of its production, and how these qualities contribute to the print's meaning and purpose.