Elfde eeuw 1667 - 1672

This small print, "Elfde eeuw", was made by an anonymous artist. It is an etching, a printmaking process that relies on acid to bite into a metal plate, in this case probably copper. The character of the etched line is so important here. See how its fineness allows for incredible detail in the depiction of figures and scenes, all within a very small format? This was achieved through the skilled manipulation of etching needles, mordants, and printing presses by the printmaker. But of course, the real skill lies in the conceptual design. The image is essentially a timeline, arranged as a kind of bizarre anatomy. The body is divided into decades, and then subdivided into even smaller historical events. Look closely, and you can see the sheer labour involved in populating this history. In its own way, this small, densely worked print is no less impressive than a history painting. It's a reminder that careful and skilled production is not just the domain of so-called high art.