Bewerken van ijzer 1781

Noach van der (II) Meer's engraving "Bewerken van ijzer" (1781) depicts two scenes of ironworking: one indoors with men forging iron, and another outdoors with a woman working on a boat. This is a typical example of the illustrative work of the 18th century, featuring detailed scenes of daily life and common occupations. The scene is accompanied by a text about the importance of iron, emphasizing its role in everyday life and the military and highlighting the significant impact of ironworking on the prosperity of the Dutch nation. The print, in a style typical of the period, captures the technical processes and illustrates the vital importance of iron as a material.