Meiboom geplant door de Haagse Schutterij, 1758 1758

This print, "Meiboom geplant door de Haagse Schutterij", was made in 1758 by Caspar Jacobsz. Philips. As an etching, the image is made through an industrial process of scratching into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed to paper. The stark black lines and delicate shading result from the controlled removal of material, reflecting the labor and skill involved in its creation. The image shows the planting of the maypole, and also depicts symbols relating to the identity of the people of The Hague and its civic guard. The ship, the comets, the birds, and other symbols shown here, are all linked to the labor, beliefs, and the history of the city. The maypole tradition itself is associated with community and celebration, linking this refined print to communal practices. By understanding the materials and the making, we realize that etching connects the world of fine art with the realm of craft, allowing for a deeper appreciation of both.