Gezicht op de ruïne van Brederode, Haarlem 1688 - 1721

Jan Vincentsz. van der Vinne made this etching of the Brederode ruins in Haarlem sometime between 1663 and 1721. The print was achieved through the labor-intensive process of etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then inked and pressed onto paper. What's fascinating here is how van der Vinne used these marks to evoke a specific atmosphere of decay. The crumbling stonework is described with a dry, wiry line, hinting at the ruin's material breakdown. Notice also the contrast with the sky, where softer, parallel lines suggest atmospheric perspective. It’s interesting to consider this ruin not just as a subject, but also as a reflection of the etcher's own labor. The image celebrates the enduring power of human craft to make something beautiful and significant even from the rubble of history. It challenges our typical separation of craft and fine art, reminding us that all making carries cultural significance.