Man en vrouw op vismarkt 1627

This print, "Man en vrouw op vismarkt," was made by Jan Gerritsz Swelinck around the early 17th century. It's an etching, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, probably copper, with a sharp needle, then inked and printed. This was a relatively new technology at the time, enabling a democratization of image-making, as it allowed for multiples to be produced at a relatively low cost. Consider the labor involved: the skilled hand of the etcher meticulously translating a scene into a matrix of lines. The final effect is one of incredible detail and texture, even in this diminutive format. The image depicts a well-dressed couple on a fish market, with a craftsman preparing something over a table. The contrast between the upper class and the worker is not accidental, but a commentary on the social realities of the time. Swelinck skillfully uses the etching technique to explore themes of class, labor, and the changing economic landscape of the Dutch Golden Age. This print serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple images are embedded with complex social meanings.