De ingang voor de geallieerden voor het Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk, 1697 1697

Adriaen Schoonebeek made this print in 1697, documenting the entrance for the allies to Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk. As an etching, the image begins with a metal plate, likely copper, meticulously coated with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then uses a sharp needle to scratch away the ground, exposing the metal beneath. This is a skillful, labour-intensive process - consider the incredible detail Schoonebeek achieves through the fine lines of the print, from the leaves on the trees to the folds in the clothing. Immersing the plate in acid then bites into the exposed lines, incising the image onto the surface. Finally, the plate is inked, and then pressed onto paper. The physical pressure of the printing press imprints the image, revealing the artist’s handiwork. This print isn’t just a picture; it’s a record of skilled labor, chemical reactions, and mechanical force. Paying attention to these processes allows us to appreciate the cultural and social significance of even a seemingly straightforward historical image.