Gezicht op de Sint-Martinuskerk te Woudrichem, 1732 1750 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman created this print of the Sint-Martinuskerk in Woudrichem in 1732, using etching and engraving techniques. These methods involve coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, drawing through the coating to expose the metal, and then immersing the plate in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The depth of the lines determines how much ink they hold, and how dark they appear in the final print. Spilman would have likely used a variety of specialized tools, such as burins and etching needles, to achieve the desired level of detail. The social context of printmaking is important here. Prints like this were relatively affordable, and they helped to disseminate images widely, contributing to a shared visual culture. The labor involved in the making of prints – the skilled work of the etcher, the printer, and the publisher – reflects the growing commercialization of art in the 18th century. This print provides insight into both the architecture of the time, and the society that valued its representation.