Oorlogsschepen 1711 - 1723

Jacobus Conynenberg created this print, "Oorlogsschepen," using woodcut and colored by hand. The technique itself—carving an image into wood—is an old one, but here it's put to the service of a very modern subject: naval power. Consider the care that has gone into this work. The ships are arranged in a grid, each one a distinct portrait of a specific vessel. This is no mere abstract design; the print painstakingly catalogues the tools of maritime capitalism and the labor required to maintain it. Woodcuts like these were relatively inexpensive to produce, making them accessible to a wide audience. By emphasizing the materials, making process, and social context, we can understand the full meaning of this artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.