Landsknechten en Antonio de Leyva, plaat 34 Possibly 1530 - 1699

This print of Landsknechten and Antonio de Leyva was created in the 16th century by Nicolaas Hogenberg, using the technique of engraving. The image is made by cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The fineness of the lines, the cross-hatching, and the way the artist has captured the light and shadow of the scene all speak to Hogenberg's mastery. Prints like this were crucial for disseminating images and ideas at a time before photography. It's fascinating to consider the labor involved in the production of these prints – the skilled artisan carefully cutting into the metal, the press operator, and the distributors who got these images into the hands of collectors and the public. The print is not just a work of art, but also an artifact of early capitalism. By focusing on the process of making, we can appreciate how these images circulated and shaped public opinion.