Neptune and the Pillars of Hercules 1634

Willem Basse made this print, "Neptune and the Pillars of Hercules", using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive action of acid on a metal plate. Here, the incised lines of the composition create a world of maritime commerce; Neptune, God of the Sea, travels through the Pillars of Hercules with his trident, while a fleet of ships appear behind him. Basse’s technical skill is evident in the contrast between the dense network of fine lines that build up the image, and the stark white of the paper support. Basse engaged in an indirect process, drawing into a wax ground, exposing the metal, and then letting the acid do its work. The web of lines describes the scene and allows for the distribution of the image in multiples. It is through the printmaking processes and the circulation of images like these that information, trade, and people were able to be exchanged across the world. Looking at art in terms of its making and materials helps us better understand the social and economic context in which it was created.