Ovaal met gestileerde ranken en een leeg compartiment in het midden c. 1615 - 1630

This oval design with stylized tendrils and an empty compartment in the middle, was made by Hans Janssen sometime between 1605 and 1631. It's an etching, a printmaking process that relies on the corrosive properties of acid. This involved covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant material, through which the design was then scratched. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. Imagine the physical effort and dexterity required to incise such intricate designs! The image’s graphic impact stems from its clear, deliberate lines, achieved through the careful application of etching techniques. These linear qualities highlight the ornate, symmetrical composition. The very process of etching, rooted in craft traditions, infuses the print with a sense of meticulous artistry. Considering its function, this print may have been intended as a template for silversmiths. In that sense, it speaks to the integration of design and production, where craft knowledge was shared through the medium of prints. It reminds us not to separate "fine art" from other forms of skilled making.