Gezicht op de Groothoofdspoort te Dordrecht 1786 - 1792

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this small print of the Groothoofdspoort in Dordrecht using engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate. The image is then inked and pressed onto paper. The dense network of fine lines that describe the buildings, sky, and water shows the hand-skilled labor involved in this method. Each line had to be carefully cut into the metal, which required precision and control. This was a common way of reproducing images and disseminating information, before the advent of photography. Looking closely, you can see how the varying thickness and density of the lines create shading and depth, giving the image its sense of volume and atmosphere. The print is a testament to the engraver's craft, where technical skill meets artistic expression. Paying attention to the materials, making, and context allows us to appreciate the print not only as a picture, but as a document of cultural and economic exchange.