De Roomse Hemelvaart, 1621 1621

This print, 'De Roomse Hemelvaart', was created in 1621 by an anonymous artist. Its making involved the skilled handwork of an engraver, carefully etching lines into a metal plate, likely copper. The image and text were then transferred to paper through the mechanical process of printing, a technology that was rapidly changing how information and ideas circulated. The stark contrast of black lines on a white ground isn't just a visual effect; it reflects the economic realities of printmaking. Every line, every word, required time and labor, making the print a commodity meant for consumption. The choice of this medium itself speaks to a wider social context: a growing market for accessible, reproducible imagery. Consider the labor involved, from the artist to the printer, and the consumers who would purchase and share this image. Ultimately, this print is a testament to the power of materials and making, intertwining artistic expression with the social and economic forces of its time.