Gezicht op de Karthuizer kerk te Parijs 1655

Matthäus Merian the Younger created this print of the Carthusian Church in Paris, likely in the mid-17th century, using etching and engraving techniques, finished with watercolor. Look closely, and you'll see the crisp lines defining the architecture, achieved through the careful process of etching the design into a metal plate. The artist would have covered a copper plate with a waxy ground, then scratched away lines to expose the metal, before immersing the plate in acid. This eats away at the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. The engraving, using a burin to directly cut lines into the metal, adds further detail. The application of watercolor brings a delicate wash of color, softening the architectural precision with a painterly touch. This combination of techniques speaks to a period where printmaking was both a craft and a commercial enterprise, documenting cityscapes for a growing public. The work involved, from metalworking to hand-coloring, reflects the skilled labor that went into producing these images, making them valuable artifacts of their time. The print invites us to consider how art and craft intertwine, challenging the traditional hierarchy between them, and highlighting the cultural and economic context of their creation.